Land Acknowledgement and Indigenous resources

Land Acknowledgement

            The members of the Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis (ABAPA) honor the traditions introduced by the Indigenous populations in Canada. We appreciate, acknowledge, and reflect on the land that we occupy and the meaning it holds for each of us. We recognize our region as the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq, the Wolastoqiyik, and Passomoquoddy, the Innu (Nitassinan), and Inuit (Nunatsiavut) peoples. In Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and part of New Brunswick, we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaw people for at least 12,000 years. In Southern New Brunswick, the Wolastoq territory has been occupied by the Wolastoqiyik/Maliseet and Peskotomuhkatiyik people for an estimated 8000 years. In Newfoundland, there is evidence that the Beothuk culture had endured since 1,500 CE, coming to a tragic end in 1829, when the last surviving living member died. In Labrador, the Innu people have the oldest proven historical presence in the geographical area of current Quebec, dating to when they were still a nomadic tribe, long before they were pushed further North by other tribes to the Davis Inlet, where they now remain. For more information on these groups, the territories, their people, and history, please see the links below.

           As we come together as an association in the Atlantic provinces, we reflect upon the history of this land, the actions taken by colonizers to displace the Indigenous people, and the subsequent generations of abuse and marginalization they faced. Each of these tribes has a deep and passionate relationship with the natural world, a rich and beautiful culture, an important history, as well as a system of beliefs and values that should be shared, learned from, celebrated, and remembered.

          On this page you will find a list of links with information about local bands, tribes, and contacts for collaboration and consultation. You will also find a detailed guide about how to write a Land Acknowledgement. We hope that through this information sharing we can better engage APABA members and our communities and continue our commitment to strengthening relationships and integrating Indigenous knowledge and values into our mission.

Links with Information about Local Bands, Tribes, Contacts for Collaboration and Consultation

Newfoundland & Labrador
Councils (0) – Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut are the only 2 provinces/territories with no Tribal Councils.

https://qalipu.ca
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/toc/indigenous-peoples-table-of-contents.php
https://www.cbu.ca/indigenous-initiatives/lnu-resource-centre/mikmaw-band-councils/mikmaw-bands-in-newfoundland/
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/toc/indigenous-peoples-table-of-contents.php#relmaq
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/indigenous/mikmaq-land-claims.php
https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/indigenous/innu-culture.php
https://www.wabanaki-labradornetwork.ca/
https://qalipu.ca/community-engagement/

New Brunswick
Councils (3): Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey (Maliseet), Peskotomuhkati

Wolastoqey Tribal Council — Kingsclear, Madawaska Maliseet, Oromocto, St. Mary's https://wtci.wolastoqey.ca

North Shore Micmac District Council — Buctouche MicMac, Eel Ground, Eel River Bar, Fort Folly, Indian Island, Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation, and Pabineau https://nsmtc.ca/members/tjipogtotjg-first-nation/

Mawiw Council — Elsipogtog, Esgenoopetitj, and Tobique https://www.mawiwcouncilinc.com

https://www.cbu.ca/indigenous-initiatives/lnu-resource-centre/mikmaw-band-councils/mikmaw-bands-in-new-brunswick/
https://wnnb.wolastoqey.ca/about-us/our-history/
https://passamaquoddypeople.com/passamaquoddy-history

Nova Scotia
Councils (2) – Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (Mainland Nova Scotia Bands) and Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq (Cape Breton Island Bands)

Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq - Paq’tnkek, We’kopekwitk, Sipekne’katik (formerly Shubenacedie), Pesikitk, Horton, Puksaqte’kne’katik, Kampalijek, Muin Sipi, Malikiaq https://www.unsm.org

Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq – Malagawatch, We’koqma’q, Wagmitkuk, Eskisoqnik, Mi'kmawi'simk Maupeltu, Potlotek https://cmmns.com

https://www.cbu.ca/indigenous-initiatives/lnu-resource-centre/mikmaw-band-councils/mikmaw-bands-in-nova-scotia/
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/reserves-in-nova-scotia#:~:text=All%20of%20Nova%20Scotia%20is,area%20(55%2C284%20km2).
https://www.muiniskw.org/pgHistory3b.htm
treaty-education-brochure.pdf (novascotia.ca)

Prince Edward Island
Councils (1): Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq (“The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI”)

Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI - L'nui Mnikuk, Abegweit First Nation https://mcpei.ca

L'nui Mnikuk “Lennox Island” Reserve https://lnuey.ca

Abegweit First Nation (Morell, Rocky Point, and Scotchfort reserves) https://abegweit.ca

https://www.cbu.ca/indigenous-initiatives/lnu-resource-centre/mikmaw-band-councils/mikmaw-band-sin-prince-edward-island/
https://indigenouspei.ca/our-history/

Writing a Land Acknowledgement

Information about Developing your own Land Acknowledgement:

Guidelines for Developing a Land Acknowledgement:

Do some self reflection about who your audience is, who you are, and where you are. Think about what impact your land acknowledgement will ideally have. Do not ask an Indigenous person to do the acknowledgement for you, it is our responsibility to put effort into truth and reconciliation activities.
Learn what Indigenous groups the land belongs to. Additional ways to engage with learning about the band or nation is to learn about their language, important teachings, values, or traditions. These are things you can mention in your statement.
Learn the name of the people, and the name of the land, keeping in mind land may belong to more than one group. Use the map: https://native-land.ca/ , and you can also go directly to the website of the local tribes, councils, and organizations for more information.
Research relevant history of Indigenous relations in the area, this may include reference to the treaties between settlers and Indigenous people, or significant historical events.
Highlight relevant topics of Indigenous activities, organizations, and individuals that are relevant to your audience, the organization, or mission statement of the listeners.
Ensure you learn the proper pronunciation of the tribes, locations, languages, and individuals that you are referencing. Don’t be afraid to draw attention to the dark parts of history- avoid sugar coating or avoiding hard topics or harsh truths.
Say your acknowledgement in present tense, Indigenous people are not relics of the past. Some of these things are uncomfortable and you can draw attention to them in your statement if it is relevant to do so.
End with commitments to action and be specific about what members of your audience can do to participate in truth and reconciliation with Indigenous people in Canada. Finish with a statement that empowers Indigenous people and those putting effort towards truth and reconciliation.