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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Understanding Events Surrounding the Wet'suwet'en Lands Dispute

The protests in early 2020 at Tyendinaga and across southern Ontario in support of the Unistot’en camp on Wet’suwet’en territory have raised questions and a desire to more fully understand this situation for many of students, staff and faculty at Ontario Tech. The Reconciliation Task Force and Indigenous Education and Cultural Services (IECS) staff recognize that the Wet’suwet’en dispute represents an important moment in Indigenous-non-Indigenous relations in Canada. We see this as an opportunity to support community learning on Indigenous land relationships, historical background and contemporary issues that lead to such disputes, and address the lack of knowledge that often leads to racism and stereotyping, in tune with our mandate to fulfill the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Together, we offer several selected resources as “conversation starters” that will help you bring context to sound bites and reactive, often hurtful, comments on this issue. We hope that greater understanding will contribute towards building respectful, peaceful and mutually beneficial dialogue and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in our community and across Canada.

As an Indigenous student, you may be feeling vulnerable. If so, please reach out for support to indigenous@ontariotechu.ca.

IECS programming, including cultural activities, workshops, speakers and film nights are open to all students in the Ontario Tech community. We also provide specific learning opportunities for faculty and staff. Visit the resources room at the Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre at 151 Athol Street East (beside the 61 Charles Street Building in downtown Oshawa) to learn more about Indigenous peoples, perspectives, histories and contemporary issues.

Resources