Land Acknowledgement
Our office is situated in Guelph, Ontario on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. These lands are covered by the Between the Lakes Treaty No. 3 (1792) and form part of a region that has long been home to Indigenous Peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Attiwonderonk.
The College regulates the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario in the public interest. Our work serves communities across the traditional territories, treaty lands and homelands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. We acknowledge their enduring presence, contributions and relationships with these lands and waters.
Indigenous knowledge and perspectives reflect interconnected relationships among people, animals and the natural world. These perspectives have shaped ways of caring for animals and the environment for generations. We recognize the importance of providing culturally responsive veterinary care and respect for the diverse needs, beliefs and values of Indigenous communities.
Acknowledging the land is one step in supporting reconciliation. It encourages us to better understand the historic and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous Peoples, and to consider how we can approach our work with respect, equity and cultural humility.
Pronunciation Guide
- Haudenosaunee is pronounced “Hoe-den-no-show-nee”
- Attiwonderonk is pronounced “At-ti-wan-da-ronk”
- Métis is pronounced “May-tee”
- Inuit is pronounced “In-ou-eet”
Use of land acknowledgement
A land acknowledgement is shared at the beginning of College’s Legacy Council meetings. Staff offer land acknowledgement at key meetings, or events.
Learn More
To learn more about the Indigenous history of this area and the treaty relationships that continue:
- Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation: https://mncfn.ca
- City of Guelph’s Indigenous history and territorial acknowledgement
- Native Land Digital: https://native-land.ca
For more information on the College’s land acknowledgement:
Jan Robinson
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer
College of Veterinarians of Ontario