The Grand Philharmonic Choir has deep roots in Waterloo Region. By giving land acknowledgements, we recognize and respect the Indigenous peoples who lived in this Region before the arrival of settlers and were the original caretakers of these lands. Land acknowledgements make visible Indigenous peoples who have been invisible and marginalized in Canada. When we as non-Indigenous people acknowledge the traditional territory on which
we all live, it takes us on a significant first step toward reconciliation.
We make these statements at milestone occasions including concerts and at our annual general meeting.
They are also included in concert programmes and on our website.
Our Land Acknowledgement Statement:
Waterloo Region, where the Grand Philharmonic Choir makes its home, is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land that was granted to the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River, and is within the traditional territory of the Attawandaron, Anishinaabeg, and
Haudenosaunee peoples.
We make this land acknowledgement to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and improving our own understanding of Indigenous peoples, their cultures and their historic connections to place.
We have a responsibility to acknowledge and understand this history and the current experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and for this understanding to inform the work that we do.
Land acknowledgements are just one small, first step in doing this.