We acknowledge that this course will be accessed by learners across Turtle Island, primarily from land we now call Canada. We recognize the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples who live across this land today, and we honour the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of all Indigenous communities and peoples who have cared for these lands and waters since time before memory.

Restorations Second Stage Homes primarily operates from Burlington, Ontario. We acknowledge the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation as well as the Traditional Territory of the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, and Anishinabek on which our residential program and office is situated.

This toolkit was developed and informed by survivors with lived experience of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation who live in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa, Ontario. We honour that these lands are the traditional territories of many Indigenous peoples, including the Erie, Neutral, Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Wendat, Seneca, Mississaugas of the Credit, Chippewa, Anishinaabe Algonquin, and other Nations who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. We acknowledge the many treaties and covenants that were formed in the spirit of reciprocity, respect, and relationship-building including the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, the Between the Lakes Treaty (No. 3), Brant Tract Treaty (No. 8), the Toronto Purchase Treaty, (No. 13), Head of the Lake Treaty (No. 14), the Ajetance Purchase (No. 19), Crawford’s Purchases, and the Rideau Purchase (No. 27 ¼).

Our acknowledgement goes beyond recognizing the land on which we reside. We acknowledge that there was a way of living and value systems that were disrupted by colonization. The deep impact of colonization is a legacy in which Indigenous peoples continue to face harm and systemic inequities. The legacy of the Indian Act, residential schools, the “Sixties Scoop,” and other egregious actions has resulted in Indigenous peoples — particularly women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals — being disproportionately represented in systems of exploitation, including child welfare and human trafficking. We acknowledge and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.

While Restorations is not an Indigenous organization, this course was created and written with the goal of an anti-traditional, anti-colonial approach to care. Our goal is to centre trauma-informed and survivor-focused practices that honour the lived experiences of all youth, including Indigenous youth, while acknowledging the systemic barriers and challenges they face.

We also recognize that this acknowledgement is incomplete. Reconciliation is an ongoing process that takes intention, humility, and curiosity. We strive to do better, acknowledging that with mistakes, we gain the opportunity to apologize, learn, change, and re-engage.

We offer this acknowledgment with gratitude and respect, honouring the resilience, strength, and wisdom of Indigenous communities. May we approach this work with openness, humility, and care, holding space for truth, healing, and justice.