The University of Ottawa’s Indigenous Affirmation is a special acknowledgment of the Algonquin Nation on whose traditional territory the University sits. The Indigenous Affirmation is meant to promote a spirit of awareness of the relationships between peoples, and in this instance, the relationship between the University of Ottawa community and Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Historically, Indigenous people did not use land acknowledgements, but instead gave statements of greeting when entering someone else’s territory that recognized the hospitality shown to them, to honour the ancestors and living people who lived in and had cared for that place, and to acknowledge the ongoing relationship of people to their homeland. This affirmation was designed to honour that tradition.
The Indigenous Affirmation is intended to be read at the commencement of events, activities or talks by members of the uOttawa community. Repetition by each subsequent speaker is not necessary and may detract from the significance of the statement.