Land Acknowledgement
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (Centre) acknowledges the aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of The Constitutions Act, 1982. In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, the Centre acknowledges that the land Ontarians inhabit today and on which the Centre operates its services and provides training across Ontario, are traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples. The Centre recognizes the history, the spirituality, vibrant culture and respectfully acknowledges all Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded this land and water since time immemorial. Those past generations of stewards have passed on the responsibility to all people to honour the sacred land and water that is integral to everyone’s lives. As a source of life, nourishment, and cleansing, water offers many teachings, and the Centre hopes to incorporate those teachings into its training and services. This acknowledgement is a reminder of the Centre’s commitment to growing new relationships, partnerships and understanding so that we may move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
In addition to the Land Acknowledgement, the Centre has implemented an Indigenous Relations Policy. The Centre is committed to working collaboratively, with transparency and with a high level of respect for Ontario’s Indigenous peoples to support their water system needs.