Territorial Acknowledgement

Overlap Associates acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main office is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. We are grateful for the opportunity to live and work on this land.

A Territorial Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the traditional territory of the Indigenous peoples who called the land home before the arrival of settlers, and in many cases still do call it home. It demonstrates recognition of Indigenous lands, treaties and peoples and marks a small and important step in the process of Reconciliation and building a positive relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Territorial Acknowledgements are a practice. At Overlap, we encourage our team members to incorporate Territorial Acknowledgements into our work, including when leading meetings, facilitating events or hosting gatherings. 

We recognize that Indigenous peoples are under-represented in our sector and Territorial Acknowledgements are part of a larger process that we are undertaking at Overlap to become a more equitable organization.

Resources: 

To learn more, click these links about the Haldimand Tract, Between the Lakes Treaty, and Map of Ontario Treaties.

Native Land is an excellent resource to locate yourself within the territory where you reside and work. Here you can find teaching guides, readings and podcasts related to territorial acknowledgements. Native Land is a map resource, and as stated within the site, 

“…this map must be used critically. Maps potentially function as colonial artifacts and represent a very particular way of seeing the world – a way primarily concerned with ownership, exclusivity, and power relations.” 

We also encourage people to reference the Amnesty International page. It outlines a structure or framework for this and highlights how each Acknowledgement needs to be tailored to the situation and context in order to be meaningful.