For the first time, Mayor George V. Harvie opened the May 10, 2021 Regular Meeting of Delta Council with an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement:
"Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that this meeting is taking place on the shared, traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples. We extend our appreciation to these First Nations for the opportunity to hold this meeting here today.”
The language for the City of Delta’s acknowledgement was developed through a combination of research and strong collaboration with Tsawwassen First Nation and Musqueam. The occasion was marked by the attendance of Chief Ken Baird of Tsawwassen and Chief Wayne Sparrow of Musqueam at the May 10 Council meeting to help celebrate the City’s most recent step on the path to reconciliation.
“The City of Delta is our closest neighbour and on behalf of TFN, I am very appreciative of the many opportunities that our governments and communities have had to collaborate and produce better outcomes for all involved. From community safety to recreational activities, our people are better off for having found ways to work together. In taking this step to acknowledge our territory, Delta is displaying its ongoing commitment to the Tsawwassen Treaty, the Tsawwassen people and our shared future in this beautiful place that we are fortunate to call home.”
swənnəset
- Chief Ken Baird
“xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and scəw̓aθən have worked hard for thousands of years to protect the lands and waters of our ancestors. Today, I am pleased that the City of Delta is officially acknowledging the long-standing relationships that we have with this territory, which we now all share as neighbours. In 1990, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of Musqueam’s right to fish Canoe Pass in the south arm of the Fraser River near Ladner. The Sparrow Decision set national precedent for Aboriginal Rights, and speaks to our constitutionally recognized and protected rights to our territory. As we look to the future, meaningful reconciliation will be an ongoing network of renewed relationships rooted in mutual respect and understanding. Musqueam is committed to continuing to work closely with the City of Delta to strengthen our renewed relationship and work towards our shared goals.”
- yək̓ʷyak̓ʷəl̕əq, Chief Wayne Sparrow
“We are grateful for our strong relationships with all First Nations, particularly our long-time local partners Tsawwassen and Musqueam. We have worked together on numerous initiatives over the years and we are thankful for their support and collaboration when we asked for their assistance to create a meaningful and respectful acknowledgement. I am honoured to have been the first at the City to have said these words in an official capacity and I am sure everyone who has the opportunity to participate in this practice in the future will feel the same way.”
- Mayor George V. Harvie
The Indigenous land acknowledgement will be made at the beginning of Council and Committee meetings and City of Delta public events.
For more information on this news release, contact the Mayor’s Office at 604-946-3210 or e-mail MayorHarvie@delta.ca.