Acknowledging Traditional Territory SD#73 Thompson

➢ Acknowledging the traditional territory shows recognition of and respect for the and their lands, in the context of the past and present. A territorial or land acknowledgement is an act of reconciliation that involves making a statement recognizing the traditional territory of the First Nations who called the land home before the arrival of settlers. The acknowledgement is specific to the Secwepemc territory and it does not include other Aboriginal groups.

➢ Visitors, including everyone who is not a member of the local Band or First Nations, would ACKNOWLEDGE the Secwepemc territory and then acknowledge the First Nations or band. WELCOME to the territory is only done by the local First Nations or Band from the territory where the function is being held.

➢ Acknowledging territory is performed at any important function such as a school assembly, awards night, graduation, a celebration that includes Aboriginal communities, etc. It can also be done before an important meeting or presentations.

➢ The host is the person who would acknowledge territory; you would usually not ask a guest to acknowledge territory as it is not his/her function/event. It is not necessary to have an Aboriginal person acknowledge territory.

➢ Acknowledgement / Welcome is usually the first item on the agenda. (If you forget, just quickly acknowledge, and don't worry about it!). If you have both an Acknowledgement and Welcome, the host usually acknowledges first and then introduces the Welcome.

➢ For larger events it is always respectful to have a member of the local Band or First Nation, preferably an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or Elected Leader, perform the welcome. As a token of appreciation and respect for their welcome, an Honorarium is given to them.

➢ If you are travelling to speak and work with people, seek out the name of the traditional territory you will be on so you can acknowledge their territory. Acknowledging Local Territory SD73 Kamloops Thompson

“I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Secwepemc and I would like to acknowledge the local ______First Nations/Band who have called this home since time immemorial.”

OR

“We acknowledge that Kamloops/Barriere/Logan Lake/Chase/or Clearwater is located on unceded Secwepemc territory.”

Note: this protocol is for acknowledging LOCAL TERRITORY, it is not (and isn't appropriate) for acknowledging the diverse Aboriginal People at our assembly or meeting.

This protocol is in consultation with the Secwepemc Nation Tribal Council (SNTC) and approved through the Band Council Resolutions (BCR) from all local bands within School District No. 73. Acknowledgement of Territory in Secwepemctsin For entrance signs, hall display, video monitor

Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc (all Kamloops and area schools) Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re Tk’emlú‘semc n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc People.

North Shuswap Schools Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re Simpcw n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of the Simpcw People.

Savona Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re Skeetchestn n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of the Skeetchestn People.

Chase Schools Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re , Neskonlith, n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of the Adams Lake, Neskonlith, and Little Shuswap Lake People.

Logan Lake Schools Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re Skeetchestn, Tk’emlú‘semc n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of the Skeetchestn and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc People.

Sun Peaks School Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re Simpcw, Adams Lake, Neskonlith, Tk’emlú‘semc n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of Simpcw, Adams Lake, Neskonlith and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc People.

Westwold School Secwepemcúl’ecw yi7élye ell, re tmicws re Splatsin, Neskonlith, Tk’emlú‘semc n7élye. Acknowledge that we are on the territory of the Secwepemc Nation, specifically the territory of the Splatsin, Neskonlith, and Tk’emlups te Secwepemc People.