We acknowledge our presence within this land that is the ancestral territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and more recently the Haudenosaunee peoples, and since 1805 the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, now home to many Indigenous populations.

The lived experiences of these nations are passed on today by the stories and teachings of ancestral knowledge keepers. Philip Cote, Young Spiritual Elder has taught us about creation and arrival stories and the Seven Grandfather teachings: Wisdom, Bravery, Respect, Honesty, Truth, Humility and Love.

At Neilson Park Creative Centre we respect the stories and teachings of each of these nations to guide our creativity and actions on this land. And as we acknowledge our Mother the Earth, we acknowledge the medicine wheel and its teachings. We recognize the four directions: North, South, East and West, and the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. It is these four seasons that represent the circle of life.

We now share a covenant with the Indigenous peoples to care for this territory and a responsibility to continue the tradition of compassionate stewardship of the land so that future generations will continue to enjoy the beauty of the lands.