City University in Canada (CityU) understands the responsibility we hold as an institution in Canada to acknowledge, reflect, and act on the challenges and experiences of Indigenous Peoples. This is why we at CityU want to do our part in creating a culturally safe environment that welcomes Indigenous students, faculty, and all Indigenous Peoples. This means providing community, offering support, and listening and reflecting on the truth of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. CityU wants to be an ally on the journey of reconciliation. CityU enters this relationship with an open mind and open heart, ready to do the work required to indigenize and decolonize the way we do education. It is our hope that as we demonstrate our offering of allyship and friendship, that we may aid in the removing of barriers and help ease the path of reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples.
Territory Acknowledgements
City University in Canada (CityU) acknowledges and respects that we are on the traditional territories of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples. Each of our campuses resides on a different territory, each with their own distinct languages, culture, and traditions. In the spirit of reconciliation and in respect of the diversity among nations, we would like to acknowledge the territories for each of our campuses.
We acknowledge that our Vancouver, British Columbia campus is located on the unceded and traditional territory of the Coast Salish Nations of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Peoples.
We acknowledge that our Southern Vancouver Island campus is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples of the Esquimalt, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations.
We acknowledge that our Calgary campus is located on Treaty 7 Territory in Southern Alberta. The traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederation: the Siksika (Blackfoot), Kainai (Blood Tribe), Piikani (Peigan) Peoples and the traditional territory of the Tsuut’ina (Sarcee), Îyâxe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda), and Métis Nations.
We acknowledge that our Edmonton campus is located on Treaty 6 Territory. These lands are the traditional territories of the Nehiyaw (Cree), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Tsuut’ina (Sarcee), and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), and Métis Nations.
The lands that we at CityU are on hold the history and cultural traditions of many Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that Indigenous traditions, knowledge, and languages have been deeply damaged by the ongoing colonization of and biases against Indigenous Peoples. We acknowledge these territories with respect to their heritage and communities. With this acknowledgment, we are committed to begin building and maintaining respectful relationships with local Indigenous communities.
Why Acknowledge Territories?
At the heart of reconciliation is a belief that Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples can exist together in a harmonious and respectful partnership. Reconciliation requires understanding the historical and ongoing colonization of Indigenous Peoples. Acknowledging the territories we are on is one of the first steps towards the understanding needed for reconciliation. Not only does acknowledging the land remind us that Indigenous Peoples lived on this territory long before us, but it gives us a moment to reflect on how we use and share our land with Indigenous Peoples. How does our use of the land support Indigenous communities? How could we be more supportive of Indigenous communities? It is a reminder that the well-being of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples relies on mutual respect and understanding, starting with learning about the land that we live, work, and learn upon.