Welcome

We acknowledge that the OACC meets on aboriginal land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. As settlers, we’re grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land – for thousands of years.

Long before today, Indigenous peoples have been the stewards of this place where we gather. In particular, we acknowledge this is the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Peoples. 

We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to and care of this place. We recognize the contributions of the Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, and continue to make, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole.

As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of the Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, to challenge systemic racism and, in particular, to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our country.