Land Acknowledgment

The exhibition you are about to encounter came into being on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee, who are the original custodians of this Land.

The territory on which I stand is within the Lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant. This is an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. The dish is shared by all and the single spoon signifies that all Peoples sharing the territory are expected to limit what they take to ensure continued abundance.

We must not take more than our share, and continuously protect and give back to the Land.

Find yourself at The Don River.

The Don River, as I have come to know this place, has held other names.

Wonscotonach.

Language teacher Dr. Basil Johnston tells us that Wonscotonach means "burning bright point or peninsula,” a point bright with fire, or made clear by fire, which likely refers to the peninsula near the mouth of the Don, today known as The Toronto Islands. Place names are powerful. Hold on to this name as you walk along, or imagine, the lower river. Feel gratitude for the place on which you stand.

I am grateful for the water, the river where I found a connection to the Land as a child….