As members of CUPE 109, we acknowledge that we are on aboriginal land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning.

We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, as well as our Bay of Quinte Mohawk neighbours to the west.

As settlers, we’re grateful for the opportunity to gather here and we thank all of the generations of people who have taken care of this land – for thousands of years.

Long before today, as we gather here, there have been aboriginal peoples who have been the stewards of this place.

We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place.  We also recognize the contributions of the Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole.

As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous people must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our country.