Chatham-Kent will follow in the footsteps of a number of Canadian municipalities and will read a land acknowledgement prior to all future council meetings.
Council has unanimously approved a motion that they read a land acknowledgement prior to all municipal events.
Land acknowledgements are a historically accurate way to recognize the traditional First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit territories of a place. In Chatham-Kent’s case, a land acknowledgement will state that Chatham-Kent is the traditional land of the Three Fires Confederacy: the Odawa, Potawatami and Ojibwe.
Chatham councillor Brock McGregor says a land acknowledgement is an important first step to take as a council.
Wallaceburg councillor Aaron Hall believes there is a need for ongoing collaboration and engagement with First Nation communities that are connected with Chatham-Kent.
