This Thanksgiving weekend, many of us will be celebrating with our families and friends, but it is important to recognize and remember that this is a colonial holiday.

Canada is a settler nation, and as settlers, a land acknowledgement is one of the first steps in a process of reconciliation.

I would like to honour and thank the Huron-Wendat Nation, Metis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River as our community partners and traditional inhabitants of the lands of the City of Toronto, Region of Hamilton, Durham Region and surrounding areas.

I would also like to bring attention to the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and ask that you keep them in mind during your celebrations.

The agreement that pertains to this piece of land is the Toronto Purchase. Initiated in 1805, it was settled on May 29, 2010. It heavily favoured the settlers and moved the Mississaugas to the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation near Brantford, Ontario. There is also evidence that the Haudenesaune and Wendat and Seneca lived here at different points and at times under shared land-use agreements.

Wren (Cierra) Leone
Community Worker Program