Local Indigenous Elder Larry McDermott and Knowledge carrier Chuck Commanda display wampum belt to Mississippi Mills council
While many area municipalities begin their council meetings with a land acknowledgement statement, Mississippi Mills, in addition, starts every new year with a smudging ceremony and words of guidance from local indigenous elders.
Mayor Christa Lowry tells us of the benefits of taking the time to share.
The land statement used by Mississippi Mills is much longer and more detailed than those of other communities and Lowry tells us what went into its creation
The annual ceremony provides the opportunity for council and staff to learn and reflect on how their actions affect inclusion and reconciliation according to Lowry.
In addition to their annual ceremony, the Mills hosts Reconciliation Through Art, tied to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as the Seven Gifts Art Installation in Riverside Park. They are also working on Ginawaydaganuc Village, an indigenous-led, eco-sensitive development designed as a non-political space for healing, learning, and connection in addition to other initiatives. Please see the complete land acknowledgement statement below.
“We acknowledge that this sacred land on which Mississippi Mills is now located has been a site of human activity for over 10,000 years and is rich in Indigenous history. This land is the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation. We are grateful to the Algonquin ancestors who cared for the land and water in order that we might meet here today.
Before settlers arrived, this territory was subject to the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Nations to peaceably share and care for resources. After settlers arrived, it became subject to the Three Figure Wampum Belt, last carried by Algonquin Elder William Commanda, which commemorates the sharing of this land with English, French and Indigenous Nations under the governance of Natural Law.
We recognize with gratitude the knowledge and contributions that the Algonquin Peoples bring to the Municipality of Mississippi Mills. Today, Mississippi Mills is also home to other Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We extend our respect to all First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for their valuable past and present contributions.
We are mindful of broken covenants and the need to reconcile with all our relations. Together, may we care for this land and each other, drawing on the strength of our mutual history of nation building through peace and friendship being mindful of generations to come.”
Story by Brian Turner
