SUILC STATEMENT OF RECOGNITION
Territorial acknowledgements have been in the news last week. Here is the Statement of Recognition that the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee has developed:
Our work takes place on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, including the Semiahmoo First Nation, the Kwantlen First Nation, the Katzie First Nation, the Kwikwetlem First Nation, the Qayqayt First Nation and the Tsawwassen First Nation. We recognize their connection to this land and acknowledge that we are newcomers to Surrey like everyone else.
The Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee is a voice for the more than 13,000 urban Indigenous people that have moved here from all over BC and in fact, from all over Canada to make Surrey their home. Our focus is on making Surrey a great place for Indigenous people living in the city, regardless of where they come from, their legal status, or their particular cultural heritage. As we do this, we endeavour to live in a good way with the land-based First Nations that have called this land their home since time immemorial.
At the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee, we share a vision of a city that values Indigenous contributions to city life – a city that is committed to working towards reconciliation at all levels. We have a lot of work to do to make that vision a reality. We encourage everyone to reflect on how they can advance reconciliation within their own lives, workplaces, and communities.
All Our Relations,
Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee
