That Legal and Legislative Services 2021-012 entitled “Land Acknowledgement Statement” prepared by Robert Auger, Town Solicitor/Clerk and Matthew Ducharme, Legal & Legislative Services (Summer Student Intern) and dated June 7, 2021 be received;
That the Land Acknowledgement Statement noted below be provisionally adopted for a six (6) month trial period so as to allow for an additional period of time for Indigenous community members to provide feedback on the proposed statement:
“We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations (comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples), and of the Huron-Wendat Peoples. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.";
Further, that the Land Acknowledgement Statement noted in this Report be read at the beginning of all Regular Council Meetings and at other such special events as may be determined from time to time by the Mayor; and
That the Land Acknowledgement Statement noted be further placed on the website of the Town of Essex.