I live in Edmonton, located within Treaty 6 Territory and within the Métis homelands and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4.

We acknowledge this land as the traditional territories of many First Nations such as the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Anishinabae (Saulteaux) and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot).

If you’ve grown up believing that no one was on these lands prior to the European’s arrival you are likely learning that we have a heritage of deceit and theft. Now we are learning of a great genocide that “we” brought upon the indigenous people of this land. We are now publicly hearing about unmarked graves of children which the indigenous people of this land have been speaking of for a number of years.

If you want to see a map of North America that marks out the nations/lands and treaties you can go here.

Peter Brice, in 1907 wrote a report to the federal government highlighting how children were dying in the residential schools. His report was not welcomed and he was dismissed. You can read about his report here.

This was a round table we organized in the lands of northern BC with some of our indigenous leaders. There needs to be much work done on the road to reconciliation. We need to ask forgiveness of God and of our fellow man.