Land Acknowledgment

Indigenous peoples have been acknowledging the land before gatherings, ceremonies, and events for time immemorial and continue to do them today. REAson d’etre dance reflects upon and recognizes Indigenous lands, Treaties, and peoples. In Ontario, the arrival of Europeans in the 1600s led to several deceitfully negotiated treaties with the Anishinaabe and the Mississaugas of the Credit. In particular, in 1787 the Toronto Purchase was negotiated with chiefs of the Mississauga’s of the Credit resulting in the Crown’s acquisition of 250,000 acres. The Mississauga of the Credit continued their fight for justice regarding this corrupt deal for 200 years and a settlement with the Canadian Government was just recently reached. RDDP acknowledges the land our programming is run from is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations including the Inuit, and Matis peoples. RDDP acknowledges the vibrant First Nations communities throughout Ontario that continue to care for this land.  I also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. As part of the process of making amends, the RDDP donates 2.5% of all box office, dance-jam, and workshop revenue to the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.