OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Land acknowledgement is an essential step in our journey. We have spent considerable time and effort on drafting a meaningful and relevant Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Statement for Centre de santé.
This process involved a long
period of reflection that started with awareness workshops for our staff and Board of Directors. During these workshops, we learned about the importance of land acknowledgement, past and present wrongs, and the impact of the health system on Indigenous communities. Accordingly, we have formulated a commitment that defines our responsibilities with regard to reconciliation.
Finally, we have established an accountability mechanism by revisiting our Land Acknowledgement Statement every year to update it and ensure it remains relevant and respectful of Indigenous communities.
Each version of the statement will be validated by
members of Indigenous communities.
Centre de santé acknowledges that the lands on which we gather are the ancestral and current territory of the Anishinaabeg, Ininewak, Dakota and National Homeland of the Red River Métis, and the visiting and trading lands of many other nations such as the Anishininewak, Denesuline and Inuit. We also recognize that Winnipeg is situated on Treaty 1 territory. We recognize that most of our electricity is generated in Treaty 5 territory and that Winnipeg’s water source comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty 3 territory.
In keeping with the treaties, agreements and understandings that have been reached on this land, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action, Centre de santé recognizes the wrongs and errors of the past and present, as well as current systemic barriers that continue to disproportionately disadvantage Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit). We recognize that these harms continue to negatively impact determinants of health.
Centre de santé is committed to continuing to educate its staff about the impact of colonization, particularly in the context of health and social services. Centre de santé recognizes the importance of providing fair and equitable health services and recognizes that it has a responsibility to address inequities in order to reduce barriers to its services.
We are committed to this process by creating lasting relationships with Indigenous communities.
These actions establish a foundation for future actions on our journey to reconciliation.