Land Acknowledgment

We must begin with acknowledging the way this land and its people began, in harmony and in symbiotic connection with one another. The Wendat, the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Métis, the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Chippewa and Inuit peoples, and many other unnamed and diverse First Nations were the original caretakers of this land. And it is because of their stewardship that we are able to gather, celebrate and continue to thrive in Takaronto.

And in this city, one of the most diverse places on the planet - we have a responsibility to continue the care indigenous people have practiced here for generations. Though we come from many homelands, we have made a home here, and so we must each do our part to nourish a good relationship with the land, and with the indigenous communities from whom so much has been stolen.

Today and every day at Drom, we join together in celebration of the music of many cultures - and I hope that in our togetherness we can consider the history of our home on native land, the impacts of colonialism, our collective and individual responsibility for reconciliation and our power to create change.