Land Acknowledgement

Rainbow Service Organization respectfully acknowledges that we operate on the treaty and traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg. It is our understanding that pre-colonization, Two-Spirit people lived in harmony with people of all genders on this territory for millennia. We offer our gratitude to the First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations.  We are grateful for the efforts of Curve Lake First Nation, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Lovesick Lake Women’s Association, and the First Peoples House of Learning to share teachings about Two-Spirit people, and to be leaders in gender inclusion across Williams Treaties and Treaty 20. May we honour those teachings.

We recognize that acknowledging the land is one step of many, and without action it has little meaning. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves, and to take meaningful steps towards reconciliation. Allyship is a continuous process that we must continue to earn through our actions and solidarity with Indigenous people.

The Indigenous communities of Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Alderville all call this area home. It is our responsibility to continue to build and maintain relationships with members of these communities, and to encourage and support participation by Two-Spirit (2S), Indigiqueer, LGBTQ, and other members of those communities in 2SLGBTQIA+ focused life and activities in the area.

We welcome all Two-Spirit people and offer our gratitude for your leadership and participation in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As an organization of volunteers, we commit to listening to your voices and all voices who have been marginalized through oppression.

To learn more about Land Acknowledgement and Reconciliation go to the OPIRG website here: https://opirgptbo.ca/about/land-acknowledgement/