U of T is dedicated in its efforts to Truth and Reconciliation and will continue to strive to be a place deserving of Indigenous community members.
As part of its commitment, the University released its response in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report, entitled Wecheehetowin: Answering the Call in January 2017. This report contains 34 Calls to Action that challenge the university community to develop initiatives and enhance existing programs and services that increase and support Indigenous space, students, faculty, staff, and curriculum throughout the institution.
As we continue to engage the wider community as the University responds to the calls to action, we are reminded that the journey towards cultural change at the University is a process and it is important to remember that the process itself is as important as the outcome. To learn more about our commitment to Indigenous community, initiatives, services, and academic programs at U of T please visit indigenous.utoronto.ca.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Land
We wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.
Why Do We Acknowledge The Land?
To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory we work and live on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.
It is important to understand the long-standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. Source: lspirg.org/knowtheland