A land acknowledgement statement represents an act of reconciliation, honouring the land and Indigenous heritage and history that dates back thousands of years. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory we reside on, and a way of honoring the Indigenous people who have cared for this land for thousands of years. It is important that we understand our history that has brought us to reside on the land, and to seek to understand our place within that history.

Additionally, it is crucial to recognize that a number of community safety and well-being issues disproportionately impact Indigenous communities in this country. Many of these challenges are a direct result of settler colonial violence and its ongoing systemic impact, including intergenerational trauma from colonial practices such as residential schools, forced displacement, and ongoing assimilation attempts.

As we consider the role of structural violence, racism, and discrimination in community safety, we must also critically examine how institutions are present-day extensions of historical systems of control over Indigenous peoples — for instance through policing, child welfare, housing policies, or healthcare.

CCFSC will continue to consider these systemic and structural barriers, inequities and harms when conducting work related to community safety and well-being in communities. We also commit to establishing collaborative and empowering relationships with Indigenous communities, and to address and dismantle expressions of settler colonialism appearing in our work. We are not immune to colonial processes; therefore, we commit to holding ourselves accountable and addressing harms we perpetrate as an organization.