An act of reconciliation near Bothwell this morning.
Officials from the United Church of Canada were on hand to officially return the land that houses the Fairfield Museum to the Eelūnaapéewi Lahkèewiit, formerly known as Delaware First Nation.
Chief Denise Stonefish says the land transfer will allow Eelūnaapéewi Lahkèewiit the chance to create new spaces where they can share their own story, history, and culture with future generations.
“But not only our future generations, but with other people and the surrounding communities, and anybody who is passing through as they did back in 1792,” says Stonefish.
Today’s ceremony comes 227 years after the village was first established — May 8th 1792.
“This means a great deal to us because this is our original home. This is where our ancestors originally settled. When the Americans came through in 1813, they destroyed the village, so they were forced to move across the river. This was the original homelands of our people and it means a lot to us and future generations that it be returned to us,” Stonefish says. “I think our community is taking a big sigh of relief that it’s over and done with. This has been a process that started back in 1960.”
“Recognizing and honouring the connection that the people of Eelūnaapèewi Lahkèewiit have to this land, and ensuring its return to them, are essential to The United Church of Canada’s deep commitment to reconciliation,” says Nora Sanders, the General Secretary of the General Council of The United Church of Canada.
