Before beginning their studies, Simcoe County students will now hear that board facilities are situated on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people.

First Nations people are being officially acknowledged in Simcoe County schools after the Simcoe County District School Board passed a resolution at the end of October.

For the past few months, the board has worked with Indigenous partners, local elders and the First Nations education advisory committee to develop a land/territory acknowledgement.

“Daily we are standing on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people,” Alison Bradshaw, principal of Indigenous education at the board, explained during Treaties Recognition Week earlier this month. “It’s a sign of respect and reconciliation, it’s also a little piece of education, because if we don’t say that, our kids don’t hear it.”

Bradshaw said she is very proud of the steps the board is taking to recognize the importance of reconciliation.

The approved statements will be used at board meetings and significant events, and daily in all schools, to respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous people of this territory, their sharing of the territory and the benefits we have received, as settlers, from that sharing.

For board meetings and significant events, the following statement will be read:

“Simcoe County District School Board acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. The Anishnaabeg include the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Métis and Inuit people.”

For school daily use, the following acknowledgement will be read:

“Simcoe County District School Board acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. We acknowledge the enduring presence of First Nation, Métis and Inuit people on this land and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect.”