Mississippi Mills Continues Reconciliation Journey with Annual Land Acknowledgement Ceremony

In recognition that Mississippi Mills is situated on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe First Nation, Council held its annual Land Acknowledgement Ceremony on January 30. 

This is the fifth year for the ceremony, which included smudging and an address by Algonquin Elder Larry McDermott of the Shabot Obadjiwaan First Nation. The Mississippi Mills Land Acknowledgement Statement was also shared, along with food blessed by Elder McDermott.   

“Our community has a long history of settler and Indigenous relations, and we see today as a time of renewal and recommitment to relationships that may have been forgotten,” said Mayor Christa Lowry. “In holding this ceremony, our intention is to bring connections, learnings, and enable conversations and action both in our chamber and out in the community as we all take steps along the long path of Truth and Reconciliation.” 

The Mississippi Mills Land Acknowledgement Statement was written in 2019 by representatives from Mississippi Mills All My Relations and from Council working together under the guidance of Elder McDermott.  

“The fact that Mississippi Mills has developed, I think, a very comprehensive land acknowledgement and has this annual ceremony is an honourable and beautiful expression of understanding how Canada came to be, how best practices in Canada have been delivered and I’m proud to be here and be part of this ceremony,” said Elder McDermott. “Hopefully some of these values will be part of the decision making that happens here and recognize just how important it is that we operate within natural law and the importance of this beautiful life we’ve inherited from our ancestors and the responsibility we have to our descendants.” 

Following Elder McDermott’s address, members of Council asked for advice on how to reflect the values of natural law in municipal decision-making, and provided comments of appreciation regarding the opportunity for dialogue, and information provided about soil protection, biodiversity, and the use of green technologies in the built environment.  

“On behalf of Council, I would like to extend my gratitude to Elder McDermott for your friendship, and allowing for us to be vulnerable and ask questions that without this forum we wouldn’t be able to do. We appreciate all that you do to teach us and future generations,” Mayor Lowry stated.

She also recognized that the Land Acknowledgement Ceremony has helped Council to be open to and supportive of Truth and Reconciliation actions both by Municipality, and those initiated by the community. 

“When I think about the last five years, there have been positive steps taken with many, many more to take. But for five years we have been consciously working towards rebuilding relationships and I thank you for your very large part in that,” concluded Mayor Lowry.

A significant community-led project to mark the Municipality’s Bicentennial last year was the realization of the Seven Gifts public art installation, unveiled last fall in Almonte’s Riverfront Park. Facilitated by Mississippi Mills All My Relations, the installation created by Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples provides a sacred place of learning and reflection for the community.  

The Municipality continues to take meaningful steps towards learning and reconciliation with education opportunities this spring for Council and staff, and with plans to raise Indigenous flags outside the Municipal Office and within Council Chambers. Please watch for further details to come.  

The Mississippi Mills Land Acknowledgement Statement can be found here.