As Christians, we recognize the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We are grateful that, despite the Church’s conflicted history, we have the opportunity to gather on this territory and work in this community. We commit ourselves to the ongoing work of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We confess our shared responsibility to care and respect both the land and waters for future generations.
We acknowledge that we reside on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe peoples; and the treaty land of the Williams Treaties First Nations, and other Indigenous peoples whose presence continues to this day. We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island as our close neighbors, working to ensure a cooperative and respectful relationship. We will take up our responsibility to be respectful of their knowledge, traditions, and inherent rights as sovereign nations.