Elgin Area Water Supply System Land Acknowledgement
The Elgin Area Water Supply System and its benefiting municipalities are situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (Uh-nish-in-ah-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ah pay-wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run) peoples. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home. This region is currently home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people today and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work in this territory.
Lake Huron Water Supply System Land Acknowledgement
The Lake Huron Water Supply System and its benefiting municipalities are situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (Uh-nish-in-ah-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ah-pay-wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run) peoples. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home. This region is currently home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people today and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work in this territory.
Regional Water Land Acknowledgement
The Lake Huron Water Supply System, the Elgin Area Water Supply System, and their benefiting municipalities are situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (Uh-nish-in-ah-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ah pay-wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run) peoples. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home. This region is currently home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people today and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work in this territory.
About the Artwork
In the different iterations of the land acknowledgements, the colour purple is featured in different capacities in the artwork based on beadwork samples from the four tribes in the area. Purple is significant to many nations throughout Kanatan, as it is the colour of the Creator, but it is especially prevalent in Haudenosaunee beadwork and regalia.
Elgin Area Water Supply System Land Acknowledgement:
The image features elements often seen in beadwork, with zigzagged borders, florals, and vines. The story built within the illustration is of a person performing a copper bowl water ceremony. This person is honouring their spirit and the spirit of the land by connecting to the animals and the water itself. The image includes a trout jumping out of the water, a loon swimming through the lake, a bear, and a turtle sitting on a rocky shore. Trees are placed along the turtle’s back, representing the story of Turtle Island. The faraway land in the loon and trout’s spaces are coloured purple to reflect this. The illustration’s palette reflects the velvet beadwork of the area with the dark and richer blues, purple and deeper reds, and that copper colour.
Lake Huron Water Supply System Land Acknowledgement:
This image is built around the Wampum belt, sky dome, and celestial tree motifs of the area. In the center of the piece is a star with four points representing the four tribes. The stitched markings represent the sky, land and water beings. The circle beyond the star represents the land and home, with water encircling it while the sky rests above. The illustration is intended to look like quillwork and birch bark biting artwork, which is reflected by a woodmark pattern in the back.
Regional Water Land Acknowledgement:
This image merges various elements of the other two, including a person performing a copper bowl water ceremony, a trout jumping out of the water, and beadwork. The significant purple, blue and copper colours appear throughout.
Artist Credit: