The District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board wishes to acknowledge that we work on and enjoy the lands that have been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. Indigenous families know these lands as the hunting grounds, medicine areas, and gathering places. We wish to further acknowledge the impact colonization, oppression and violence of all forms has had, and particularly aimed at Indigenous peoples.

We further recognize the atrocities and trauma experienced through colonization on Indigenous peoples. In particular, we acknowledge the many children who lost their lives through the Residential School system, along with survivors who live their lives each day with inter-generational trauma caused by this horrific legacy. We also wish to acknowledge the call for justice for the many missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

As newcomers, we are grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank the generations of Indigenous people who have taken care of this land and its waters – for thousands of years.

The District of Parry Sound is home of the Anishinaabeg/Anishinaabek – Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples, and the territory of the Wasauksing, Shawanaga, Magnetawan, Dokis and Henvey Inlet First Nations and is under the Robinson-Huron Treaty. As we are all treaty people, it is important to learn about the lands we stand on and the people who live here.

The District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board is committed to providing services without oppression or racism and seek to understand how we can contribute towards healing and reconciliation. We understand this can only be done with actions, and not only with words.

Chi Miigwech.