Land Acknowledgement

Understanding Land Acknowledgements
 

A Land Acknowledgement is not just a recitation of place names; it is an act deeply rooted in Indigenous protocol and relationship with territory. Traditionally, when one First Nation approached another’s land, they would pause at the boundary, awaiting invitation from the hosts. Three questions guided these ancient encounters: Why have you come? How long will you stay? How will you care for the land and resources during your visit? These questions held political and sacred meaning. They affirmed that land, and those entrusted with its care, must be respected.

Today, Land Acknowledgements are meant to honour this spirit, reminding each of us that our presence brings ongoing obligations: to honour First Nations, to care for the land, and to practice respect and reciprocity. Words alone, however, are not enough. Land Acknowledgements must be matched with action—a commitment to Indigenous sovereignty, responsible stewardship, and building respectful relations grounded in equity and care.

Long before today’s practices, First Nations secured relationships through dialogue and ceremony. For example, in autumn (circa 1400), a delegation from the Huron-Wendat Confederacy would pause at the forest’s edge by the Bay, seeking entry to the territories of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg—the People of the Big River Mouths (near present day Carrying Place). They asked permission, explained their purpose, and were received as guests, not intruders. This meeting of First Nations was governed by protocol: questions were posed about intentions and care for the future. Reciprocity and honesty shaped the exchange. The Huron-Wendat, welcomed as relatives, were invited to live on another’s land with gratitude, restraint, and a promise of future generosity.

Relationships and understandings were formalized through wampum beads of white and purple shell
woven into belts that recorded law, memory, and promise. These living records made visible the
responsibilities felt by both parties, embodying the protocols of peace and reciprocity that governed
Indigenous territories. The land itself was recognized as inseparable from these agreements, making
each bond both spiritual and practical.

To acknowledge the land in Prince Edward County is to step into a story carried through centuries: a story of peace, friendship, and shared responsibility. The legacy of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt, which binds the First Nations of this region in a shared ethic of respect and accountability, affirms that our well-being is tied together with the earth. A Land Acknowledgement is both a remembrance and a commitment, a reminder to uphold our responsibilities to Indigenous Peoples and Nations and to live with a good mind, in balance with the natural world. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, Visit The County recognizes the enduring obligations of these agreements and invites everyone to listen, learn, and walk together toward a future of balance, harmony, and inclusion. 

Prince Edward County is a place of shared care and story. The following offers small, adaptable
steps for building good relations with our Indigenous neighbours, not a checklist, but a starting point
to nurture respect and understanding.

● Walk in allyship: Listen first and reflect on what is learned.
● Learn the treaties & stories: Understand the histories of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and St. Lawrence Iroquoian connections and communities.
● Champion Indigenous-led economic inclusion: Support Indigenous business and invite leadership into shared projects and prosperity.
● Honour protocols: Ask about and respect cultural protocols, moving at the speed of trust.
● Centre youth: Foster intergenerational learning and invite youth to help shape programs.
● Learn out loud: Track and share efforts, adjust with feedback from Indigenous partners.
● Remove barriers: Practice anti-bias learning and support Indigenous participation in community decisions.

Anyone can use or adapt these practices in their organizations or homes; the aim is to foster steady,
respectful relationship-building as partners in caring for this land.

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