LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The office of Indigenous Peoples Association of Osteopathy (Canada) is located on the ancestral lands of
the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples, who have left their footprints on
Mother Earth before us. IPAO respectfully acknowledges those who have walked on it, those who walk
on it now, and future generations who have yet to walk upon it. IPAO wishes to express gratitude to
Mother Earth and for the resources we are using, and honour all the Indigenous Peoples who have been
living on this land since time immemorial.

What is a land acknowledgement and why IPOA does it?

A land acknowledgement involves making a statement recognizing the traditional territory of the
Indigenous Peoples such as First Nations, Métis and Inuit, who called the land home before the arrival of
European settlers, and in many cases still do call it home. Indigenous Peoples have been acknowledging
the land at the start of gatherings, ceremonies and events for time immemorial. Recently more nonIndigenous people are becoming aware of its importance. Providing a land acknowledgement at the
beginning of an event or meeting gives time for reflection and demonstrates recognition of Indigenous
lands, treaties and peoples. It involves thinking about what happened in the past and what changes can
be made going forward in order to further the reconciliation process. Land acknowledgements mark a
small and important step in the process of reconciliation and building a positive relationship with
Indigenous peoples. By making a land acknowledgement you are taking part in an act of reconciliation,
honouring the land and Indigenous presence which dates back over 10,000 years. Using and
participating in a land acknowledgement is a way to recognize the enduring presence and resilience of
Indigenous peoples in this area for time immemorial. They are also a reminder that we are all
accountable to these relationships. At Indigenous Peoples Association of Osteopathy (Canada) we
recommend manual osteopaths post land acknowledgement statement on their websites.