Pitcher Plant

I acknowledge that I live on Aboriginal land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. As a settler, I am grateful to be here, and I thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land for thousands of years. Long before today, there have been Aboriginal peoples who have been the stewards of this place. In particular, I acknowledge the traditional territory of the Haudensaunee (Iroquois), Ojibway/Chippewa and Anishnabek. I recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to my home. I also recognize the contributions Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening my community in particular, and this province and country as a whole.
This recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly connected to my commitment to make the promise and the challenge of truth and reconciliation real in my community, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across this country.

My friend and neighbour Max Turczyn commissioned this pitcher plant based on his photo (swipe left) to support the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. The goal of the fund is to continue the conversation that began with Chanie Wenjack’s residential school story, and to support the reconciliation process through awareness, education, and action.