Land Acknowledgement
Caring for children begins with respect for the land that holds us all, and for the peoples who have cared for it since long before us.
Our Acknowledgement
Annie's Havens is based in Hamilton, on the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum, an agreement among Indigenous nations to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes, and by treaties including the Between the Lakes Purchase of 1792.
We serve children, youth, and families across Ontario, on the many traditional and treaty territories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples throughout the province. We are grateful to live and work on these lands, and we recognize the enduring presence, knowledge, and care of the Indigenous peoples who call them home.
Why This Matters in Our Work
Indigenous children and youth have long been over-represented in Ontario's care system, and the history of that system has caused deep and lasting harm to Indigenous families and communities. We carry that history with honesty.
The Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 recognizes the importance of helping First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children stay connected to their families, communities, cultures, and identities. We share that commitment. When we care for an Indigenous child, we work to honour their heritage and to keep those connections strong, in partnership with their family and community wherever we can.
An Ongoing Commitment
A land acknowledgement is a beginning, not a conclusion. We hold it alongside the everyday work of listening, learning, and acting in the best interests of every child in our care.