LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Toronto is in the ‘Dish With One Spoon Territory.’ The Dish With One Spoon is a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.
The “Dish,” or sometimes it is called the “Bowl,” represents what is now southern Ontario, from the Great Lakes to Quebec and from Lake Simcoe into the United States. We all eat out of the Dish, all of us that share this territory, with only one spoon. That means we have to share the responsibility of ensuring the dish is never empty, which includes taking care of the land and the creatures we share it with. Importantly, there are no knives at the table, representing that we must keep the peace. The dish is graphically represented by the wampum pictured above.
This was a treaty made between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee after the French and Indian War. Newcomers were then incorporated into it over the years, notably in 1764 with The Royal Proclamation/The Treaty of Niagara.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
The ‘Reconciling Journalism’ website is part of the School of Journalism’s efforts to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Call to Action #86.
Our mission is to help improve the coverage of Indigenous stories by encouraging students to expand their knowledge and build relationships with Indigenous communities.
Our goal is to provide students and educators with a variety of local and national resources to learn about Indigenous issues and Indigenous communities, as well as context on current issues, such as ongoing conversations about treaty rights and the impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples.
This is a safe place to learn and ask questions about best practices for reporting on Indigenous stories and incorporating more Indigenous learning into journalism curriculum.
FUNDING
The development of this website was supported by funding from Aboriginal Education Council at Toronto Metropolitan University.
CALL TO ACTION #86
“We call upon Canadian journalism programs and media schools to require education for all students on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations.”
LOGO CONCEPT
The concept for our logo was derived from the Star Blanket, which was gifted to the Aboriginal Education Council at the University, on October 25, 2013.
For centuries, Plains People have used robes and Star Blankets to honour individuals at the time of life changing events such as births, deaths, graduations and marriages. Today, it continues to herald a new beginning, a new day dawning. Standing between darkness (ignorance) and light (knowledge) the morning star leads to understanding. To give a Star Blanket is to show utmost respect, honour and admiration.