The Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approved that a Land Acknowledgement be read at Council meetings beginning in July 2021 immediately following the Call to Order; and further, that it be added to the Township’s website.
“As we gather in Chambers this morning I would like to acknowledge on behalf of Council and our community that we are meeting on the traditional territory of the Algonquin People. We would like to thank the Algonquin people and express our respect and support for their rich history, and we are extremely grateful for their many and continued displays of friendship. We also thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years.”
“This is a practice that has been happening at the County of Renfrew for many years, and we’re asking that we adopt it.”
CAO Trembley said this was not directly in response to the discovery of 215 dead children found in a residential school in Kamloops, BC.”
“It always seems like we’re saying “We have your land, but we’re not giving it back.” Councillor Mackay said. “It seems like hollow words.”
“That’s a valid point.” CAO Trembley said. “I think of it as a starting point.”
The motion was carried.
