One of the transformative practices in Hearts Exchanged is learning how to craft a personal land acknowledgment, and then sharing those words and commitments with one another in each  cohort. Every acknowledgement is different, based on where the person lives, but also on their own research and the personal touches they include.  Below, participant Charlotte Archibald shares her acknowledgment of the land she calls home in Dundas, Ontario. To learn more about creating your own land acknowledgement, view our guide. 

—

I acknowledge that the community now called Dundas, Ontario, the land on which I now live, work, play, worship Creator, and raise my family, is located on the traditional territories of the Erie, (Neutral) Attawandaron, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe (Mississaugas) since time immemorial.

I acknowledge and honour with gratitude the Indigenous peoples who have cared for and stewarded this land, and acknowledge the current and continuing presence, expertise, and deep connection to this land of many Indigenous First Nations, Inuit, Métis people - in this small town and across Turtle Island. This area and its adjacent land is currently home to community members of the Mississaugas of the Credit and Six Nations of the Grand River.

This land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase treaty, also known as Treaty No. 3 (1792), made with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The Nanfan treaty of 1701 guarantees Indigenous hunting and fishing, harvesting, and gathering rights here in Dundas and across the region.

This land is also covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant made between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe calling us all into the reciprocal care and protection of the waterways, lakes, lands, trees, plants, food, air and the human and non-human beings together in this place.

I recognise these treaties and covenants in their original intention as living agreements that shape and inform my responsibilities as a guest here on this land. I also name the harms done because they have not been respected and upheld.

In addition to acknowledging the land, as an immigrant settler in Dundas, it has been important for me to learn more about this specific location where I have settled, and to respect the Indigenous history of this place, and the present-day knowledge, stewardship and ways of being and caring for this beautiful place - "in the valley" is "Basadinaa" in the Anishinaabemowin language - where I am currently a grateful guest.

How do I care for the plants and trees in the yard (I no longer consider it "my" yard!), and in the neighbourhood? How can I help protect the local creek? The canal? Cootes Paradise nearby - which was named by the Haudenosaunee "where they harvest rice". I am learning more about the biodiversity of this area. How to tread lightly when hiking the trails nearby that were previously at the crossroads for Indigenous trade routes, and the "head of the lake" portage route. I have been generously gifted with a LOT of ways to learn how to become a part of this shared stewardship.

Turning what I've learned in the Hearts Exchanged program into action is what I’m working on. Learning what it looks like, as a Turtle Island settler, and a new citizen of Canada, to do the work of de-colonising my own heart and mind and pursuing a path of reconciliation and right relations in my everyday thoughts, words and actions, and in an engaged relationship to the land where I live.

For more information or to begin planning with your congregation, email [email protected] or visit crcna.org/hearts-exchanged. Hearts Exchanged cohorts will be running in regions across Canada this fall. Sign up now, and our team will connect you with a group.