Our Mission

Land Acknowledgement

The HOPELab acknowledges that we reside on the historical and current territory of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. This territory is the land of the Siksika (Blackfoot), Piikani (Peigan), Kainai (Blood), Tsuut’ina (Sarcee) and Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney) First Nations. The city of Calgary also resides on the land of Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6. The University of Calgary is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River and that this area is known as Moh’kins’tsis.

 Treaty 7 was signed in 1877 at Blackfoot Crossing and covers the majority of southern Alberta[1]. Indigenous communities involved in the making of Treaty 7 viewed the agreement as a peace treaty that outlined the shared use of this land[2]. However, the Canadian government saw this as an agreement to surrender Indigenous lands to the government. The peoples of this region would not have agreed to this surrender had this arrangement been made clear.  Many of the promises made to Indigenous communities in this agreement still have not been fulfilled[3]. Let us recognize the continued care Indigenous communities provide for this land and the expertise they hold about this land. It is through the effort of these communities that this area remains such a beautiful and bountiful place. Continued action is needed to uphold the promises made in 1877 and honour the care provided to this land which we benefit from.

Please remember that words alone do not advance reconciliation. We continue to reflect on what we can do to support Indigenous communities in our area and begin making reparations. For example, reviewing the calls to action forwarded by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, supporting Indigenous creators and businesses, and re-centering Indigenous ways of knowing in the university context and beyond by seeking out Indigenous perspectives. This land acknowledgement alone will not forward reconciliation, continued action is needed to support the Indigenous communities of this area.

*please note that this land acknowledgement was written from a settler perspective and does not speak for Indigenous voices