Our Land Acknowledgement
Inspired by Wonder Inc acknowledges that we are located on Treaty One Territory, the ancestral lands and traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, Ininíwak, Ithiniwak, Denesułine, Anishininiwak, Inuit, Dakota and Nakota Peoples; and on the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. We also acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. We are grateful for having access to this land and we pay our respect to its original custodians.
Commitments to Learning and Re- Learning
The purpose of our land acknowledgement is to recognize the harms and mistakes of the past that have devastated and severed Indigenous communities and to communicate how we are actively participating to relearn the truths of our history.
We are committed to learning and sharing knowledge about the Indian Residential School System, 60’s scoop and the continued apprehension of Indigenous children known as the “Millennium Scoop”. These policies negatively impacted the culture and identity of Indigenous families and communities and many still do not have access to clean drinking water, nor are able to participate in traditional practices that are central to their identity and well-being.
We aim to support decolonization by committing to creating an organizational culture that centers Indigenous voice, traditions, and ways of knowing and being. We practice this with the continual evaluation of our current policies and customs. Through collaboration with our Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Cultural Advisors, community partners, and our Indigenous families and educators, we strive to provide our children with a rich diverse curriculum in each classroom by offering materials about Indigenous history, teachings, and culture.
We aspire to strengthen both ours and the children’s relationship with the land by listening and engaging in conversations and learning opportunities and making their words and work visible.
“I am thankful for the bees and the butterflies and sometimes the birds too. The bees and butterflies drink the nectar and move the pollen to make the flowers bloom. The flowers become vegetables and fruits like the eggplant and squash outside. The tomatoes are coming out of the flowers too. So we can eat them and our bodies become healthy.” – Arlo, Age 4
“I am thankful for the mountains and the forest because the animals can live there” -Eli, Age 4
“I am thankful for the playground because we can play there after we go for a walk.” -Mac, Age 4
“I like to have a picnic and eat outside. I like the sun but not the thunder.” -Rosie, Age 3
“I like to thank the rain because there is a rainbow and the water can go to the lake and the fish can drink and live in the lake and the turtles too.” -Eleanor, Age 2.9
“I like the wind because it’s cool.” – Elijah J., Age 3
“I like to eat the fruit and vegetables.” – Stella, Age 2.6
We understand that the land provides us with many benefits and that it is our responsibility to help take care of the land and to honour and value it every day by helping to create stewards of the Earth.
This is a living document that will be reviewed periodically, as we move forward in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration. We are committed to continual learning and welcome feedback at any time.