Indigenous Culture and Community

Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement to recognize the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories. The following can be used to open public meetings and events in Oakville:

Honouring the Land and Territory

Halton, as we know it today, is rich in the history and modern traditions of many First Nations and the Métis. From the lands of the Anishinabe to the Attawandaron, the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in Indigenous history. As we gather today on these treaty lands, we are in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect the four directions, lands, waters, plants, animals and ancestors that walked before us, and all of the wonderful elements of creation that exist.

We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for being stewards of this traditional territory.

Planting Our Seeds with Grandmothers Voice – Going Beyond the Land Acknowledgement

Celebrating and promoting Indigenous culture and community in Oakville.

To learn more about this lands treaty history and celebrate the active agreements these treaties seek to protect, the Town of Oakville sought guidance from local Indigenous leaders, including Grandmothers Voice. The result is a series of eight (8) free public conversations about practical directions and best practices relating to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

All are invited to listen, interact, and engage with this subject matter in a way that is safe, accessible, and loving for everyone. Join us live through Zoom at 6 p.m. each Thursday, from April 29 to June 17, to explore this valuable part of Oakville’s history, culture, and diversity.

Planting our Seeds program themes include:

• Land and Treaty Acknowledgement.
• Examining the current state of urban Indigenous members of the community.
• Community discussion around the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
• The resurgence of Indigenous voice, resiliency and culture.
• Seeking reciprocity, community accountability and responsibility.

Please register in advance so that we can send you a confirmation email with links and instuctions. Participants must have access to Zoom along with a webcam and speakers for optimal experience. Any conversations you miss will be posted on the Town of Oakville YouTube channel.

Get to know our speakers

Jody Harbour

Jody introduces herself as an Urban Indigenous Woman. Her paternal great-grandmother was of the Cayuga Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also known as Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She also acknowledges her Romanian and English heritage from her mother's lineage.

As a resident of Oakville for over 25 years and a parent, Jody's passion to bring Indigenous culture to the larger community began with a Parent Involvement Grant and collaborations with the Catholic and Public school boards in 2018. This developed into the creation of the Halton Learning Lodge in partnership with HCDSB and Grandmothers Voice.

Her journey continues to inspire other community relatives and cousins towards learning and reconciliation. As an Eagle Feather Carrier, her responsibilities are to aid in the healing of our nation and to encourage a community of practice borne from Indigenous ways of knowing.

Sherry Saevil

A Cree woman from Treaty 6 territory, Sherry's passion for Indigenous issues developed naturally through personal and professional experience. Coming from a family of ten children who were all part of the “Sixties Scoop,” her mother and all of her aunts and uncles were survivors of the Residential school system. Sherry's is the first generation to raise her children without government interference.

This sparked an interest in a wide range of social, political and legal issues like poverty, housing, child and family services, treaty rights, education and legislation impacting First Nations. Sherry has a degree in Native Studies and Criminology from the University of Saskatchewan and has been studying, volunteering and working in the area of First Nation issues for over 25 years.