Grey County is planning to change its Indigenous land acknowledgement and has repealed its existing policy in favour of something the County hopes be will more genuine, less formal, and more flexible.
A December staff report says, the County created a land acknowledgement policy back in 2021. They say in their report that since then, staff have new information and a deeper understanding of how a land acknowledgement should be undertaken.
They explain, “After further review and feedback from Saugeen Ojibway Nation and the Indigenous Advisory Circle at Grey Roots, it is understood that the current acknowledgement is not meeting its original goals and intentions.”
The report says, “First and foremost, the acknowledgement should be genuine and personalized.” Staff add, it should end with a call to action.
Grey County Communications Manager Rob Hatten says a new policy would allow for more flexibility with regard to when and how it’s used.
“There’s going to be a workshop coming in January for county council and officials as well, just so we can learn a little bit more about these processes and how we can make them more meaningful as we go forward with them,” says Hatten.
County Warden Brian Milne noted during discussion at the December 14th meeting, ” I know we can do better and we will make it better.”
The staff report says, “The land acknowledgement seeks to honour the land and the Indigenous people who have lived on the land from time immemorial and assists in working towards reconciliation.”