Grief Stories was founded on the lands of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg traditional territory covered by the Williams Treaties, specifically the Gunshot Treaty signed with the Mississauga First Nations of Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Scugog Island. Nearly 100 years ago, Canada and seven Mississauga and Chippewa First Nations signed agreements that became known as the Williams Treaties. These agreements were intended to be the foundation upon which sovereign peoples would build a common relationship, but lead to long-standing disputes and violence towards Indigenous peoples.

We acknowledge that our ability to live and work on these lands today is a direct benefit of policies of colonialism, expulsion, and assimilation of Indigenous peoples during the time of settlement and Confederation and since. The harms of these policies are many and are still being felt in Indigenous communities today. We express gratitude towards the Indigenous peoples who have and will continue to steward these lands. We commit to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples and working against the everyday forces of White supremacy and colonialism present in the nonprofit sector.

In light of this history and understanding our role as Treaty People, we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliationas we learn together and contemplate the possibilities that lay ahead. We aim to listen, learn, establish meaningful relationships with our Indigenous sector colleagues, engage in courageous conversations, and take actions that advance reconciliation in the nonprofit sector.

Our work at Grief Stories is long-term and multi-generational in nature, and we recognize that it will be a continuous and intentional process to build strong relationships with Indigenous peoples and connect with the land and waters.