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ECJLL acknowledging Mi'kmaw Terriorty at board meetings
2018-01-13
Thursday night the ECJLL held their first board meeting on 2018. The meeting was opened by Steve Morrisey our new Indigenous Director acknowledging that the meeting was held on the unceded Mi'kmaw terriorty. This set the tone for respecting the past while contiuning to build the culture and our game.
Steve Morrisey at Thursday ECJLL board meeting
It is my vision that the role of the Indigenous Director will be to assist the Executive of the East Coast Junior Lacrosse league in fulfilling its strategic priority and responsibility to ensure inclusion of Aboriginal peoples in the sport of lacrosse, Aboriginal-specific programming and promotion of the historical significance of Aboriginal ancestry and contributions to the sport of lacrosse. The position will advise on matters of protocol and cultural sensitivities with respect to the game and as well as interacting with various Indigenous communities, groups, and individuals to help promotes and foster good relations with respect to the game.
In saying that, and as a matter of protocol, I would like to acknowledging that we meet this evening in Mi’kma’ki , the ancestral and unceded traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq People and I pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq people first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
Mi’kma’ki, is the entire Atlantic region, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland as well as parts of the Gaspe peninsula. So to be more specific, the area we are in within Mi’kma’ki, is known as K’jipuktuk (The Great Harbour).
Acknowledging territory shows recognition of and respect for Aboriginal Peoples. It is recognition of their presence both in the past and the present. Recognition and respect are essential elements of establishing healthy, reciprocal relations.
Regards,
Steve