Territory Acknowledgement
The FDHRC™ office stands on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. The Algonquin peoples have had a special, reciprocal relationship with this territory since time immemorial, and this relationship continues today. Algonquin peoples have lived in the Ottawa Valley for more than 8,000 years before Europeans arrived in Turtle Island, or what is now commonly called North America. “Ottawa” is an Anishinaabe word that means “to trade.” “Odawa” is the original pronunciation. This territory has hosted a place of trade for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. These lands hold histories of Indigenous trade and commerce, community gathering, social and sporting events.
The earth, dirt, rocks, sands, and stones of these lands cradle and protect the remains of countless generations of Algonquin ancestors. Wisdom, self-determination, and strength of ancestors are carried on through the intergenerational grace of descendants today. A strong, reciprocal relationship of care and special connection to these lands, waters, and their many gifts through harvesting, hunting, and fishing, sustain good health and wellness for Algonquin peoples.
It is recognized that the First Peoples’ long-standing and special connection to their lands and waters, as well as health care rooted in the first methods of disease prevention and healing, support positive health outcomes physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Medicines grow from this part of the earth, such as the flowering plant called the balsam poplar that grows buds and roots that the Algonquin peoples transform into a healing salve. The white spruce is used by Algonquin peoples to treat everything from internal pain to external skin conditions. Every part of the tree has a different healing purpose including the twigs, bark, gum, sap, roots, leaves, cones, and wood.
The FDHRC™ is humbled in gratitude to be able to conduct its important work from this special place; the ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin peoples. The FDHRC™ recognizes without qualification the inherent lands and territory rights of the Algonquin peoples as articulated in Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada 1982, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which is enshrined in various legislation in what is now commonly called Canada. It is also recognized that Indigenous lands rights are an integral part of Indigenous health rights.
The jurisdiction of the FDHRC™ is far-reaching, across the vast lands and waters that make up what is now commonly called Canada. From coast to coast are ancestral Indigenous territories, mostly unceded, and home to many different Indigenous peoples and communities who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit. It is encouraged that all readers of this text reflect upon the ancestral, unceded or treaty, and/or Chartered Communities where they live, work, learn, and play among the coastlines, beaches, lakes, rivers, marshes, prairies, mountains, fjords, and islands, across the vast territories surrounded by oceans and seas that collectively make up what is now commonly called Canada.
The FDHRC™ is humbled to collaborate with Indigenous peoples and communities in consensual, meaningful knowledge-sharing that reflects ancestral, sacred, and special cultural knowledge, histories, and stories. With special gratitude to Elder, Grandma Karen of the Anishnaabe, Ojibway Chippewa peoples, and resident, Elder, and cultural advisor in Anishnaabe Algonquin territory and communities. The FDHRC™ humbly receives knowledge from Grandma Karen in gratitude, to be able to better reflect upon the privilege of working from the Anishinaabe Algonquin territory.