Working towards Truth and Reconciliation at YES

Land Acknowledgement

The YES Shelter for Youth and Families respectfully acknowledges the sacred land that we meet on, and its traditional occupants. YES is located on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg, which includes the areas of Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

YES recognizes the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples on this land, pays respect to Elders past and present, and is committed to  working towards Truth and Reconciliation by working with Indigenous community partners to offer culturally relevant and effective housing related supports to Indigenous young people and families.

Reflection

Nogojiwanong (renamed by settlers to “Peterborough”), the Anishinaabe word for “place at the end of the rapids”, refers to the gathering place at the end of the Odenabe river. It is here, in Nogojiwanong, that YES has worked for the past 20 years to support youth and families experiencing homelessness. This work would not have been possible without the stewardship and care that the Indigenous peoples of this area have held over the land and its resources.

YES’ Emergency Shelter is situated directly beside the sacred burial ground of a 2000-year-old Indigenous man; an example of how Indigenous ancestry and spaces steeped in Indigenous history, surround all of us living and working in Nogojiwanong. 

YES acknowledges that our buildings occupy space on traditional territories covered by the Williams Treaty – 1923 (Treaty Texts – Williams Treaties (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)), and the Rice Lake Treaty #20 – 1818 (Rice-Lake-Treaty-No.-20.pdf (williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca) ). We understand that the signing of treaties was meant to restrict and coerce Indigenous peoples to the benefit of colonizers. However, note that the signing of treaties by Indigenous peoples of these territories was symbolic, from an Indigenous perspective, of mutual respect and communication. This same perspective is maintained today by our Indigenous community partner agencies, and by the Indigenous peoples that continue to occupy this land. A benefit, that we as guests, see in the common work we do with our clients.

Responsibility

Our presence in Nogojiwanong connects us to several nations; Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. As uninvited guests on this land, YES has a responsibility to foster respectful relationships with these communities and their peoples.

In recognition of the tragedies that were bequeathed to Indigenous peoples in these territories, as well as territories all across Canada, YES is committed to learning about the traditional people and land, acting as allies for Indigenous people, and exploring ways in which YES as an agency can address the effects of colonization on the Indigenous youth and families of this region.

Indigenous RISE

YES’ Indigenous RISE Program offers 6 beds in a transitional housing space to Indigenous youth that are precariously housed or homeless. The space is meant to be culturally supportive of client needs, and works to address the effects of homelessness on Indigenous young people in Nogojiwanong.

Guided by the seven grandfather teachings, youth have access to cultural programing, traditional foods and community connections. We see this program as only the very beginning of years of work ahead in decolonization that is needed, and that YES is invested in.

As we look to the future of reconciliation and decolonization, we look to the mural painted on the side of the YES Emergency Shelter building. The strawberries depicted in the painting are “heart berries”, named after their shape. The Anishinaabe people teach that the heart berry reminds us of reconciling and reminds us of ways to maintain heartfelt relationships in our communities. The tobacco in the mural is symbolic of the traditional sacred herb of the Medicine Wheel. Tobacco is a traditional offering of thanks, and is seen as a sign of respect when requesting help or guidance. In this same manner of respect, we at YES, listen to our Indigenous community partners to help guide us in our journey of reconciliation.