In Recognition of July 1st

In recognition of July 1st, we, at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, would like to take a moment to honour this land, share our understanding of the area, and remind ourselves that as settlers we have a responsibility to care for the land and each other. This means centering the voices and perspectives of Indigenous people.

For over 10,000 years, First Nations people have been stewards of these lands – a source of spiritual, cultural, social, and economic well-being.

Long before cities were built, the neighbourhood we now call Mount Pleasant was alive with the movement of deer and bear, the flowing of salmon and trout, and the gentle rustle of willow and crabapple trees. A land rich in flora and fauna, sustained by Indigenous peoples through generations of deep respect and stewardship.

We acknowledge that the land is intrinsically linked to Indigenous identity, survival and governance.

Today, we invite you to not only learn about the history of this land but also to foster meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and take intentional steps toward decolonization, reconciliation and responsible stewardship.

Resources:
- Musqueam Nation - https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/our-story/
- Squamish Nation - https://www.squamish.net/about-our-nation/
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation - https://twnation.ca/our-story/
-Talaysay Tours - https://www.talaysay.com/
- Find the Indigenous territories, languages and treaties of the land on which you live, work, and play - https://native-land.ca/
-Yellowhead Institute: Land Back free online course - https://learnonline.yellowheadinstitute.org/