Territory Acknowledgement & Commitment to Action

We carry out our work on the traditional and stolen lands of the Anishinaabe peoples. This land is the subject of the Lake Simcoe-Nottawasaga Treaty 18. This is the Territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. This includes the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. 

We also carry out our work on the land known in Kanien’keha as Tkaronto. This land is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat, and is now home to many Inuit, Métis and First Nations peoples.

We name the historical and ongoing colonial and sexual violence on this land committed against Indigenous peoples by colonialism, racism, and misogyny. We name that Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by this now and intergenerationally. Indigenous women are 12 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be murdered across Turtle Island.

Sexual violence and misogyny are weapons of colonization with impacts lasting generations. Our attempts at reconciliation need to be present, active and honour this truth through actions that place Indigenous voices and safety in priority.

The Dandelion Initiative is currently staffed by immigrants and settlers. Our work to prevent and respond to gender-based violence must work to unsettle and decolonize our approaches to healing and working amongst and with Indigenous peoples.

As a small grassroots organization, we ensure that we can provide resources and monetary support to Indigenous-led organizations and movements. All of our survivor services and organizational workshops/training are free for Indigenous peoples, communities and individuals.

We do not celebrate “Canada Day” on July 1st our office will be open. Our staff and board have signed contracts to ensure we maintain this value always. Our office will be open and our staff engaged in community work that places Indigenous Communities and their grief, power and voices in priority.

We encourage you to consider what actions and commitment can look like:

  • Volunteer your time and/or services to a community event that highlights Indigenous voices and culture. Do not take up space if you are Non-Indigenous at these events. Instead, focus on active listening, using your privilege and following the lead of Indigenous people.

  • Educate and inform yourself on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women/Girls.

  • Take ONE recommendation from the report and apply it to your personal/professional work. The report delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and Canadians.

  • Read Indigenous stories by Indigenous Women and people.

  • Hire and prioritize Indigenous artists and teachers throughout your work. 

  • Ask before you act. If you are doing work in solidarity, you must honour Indigenous people are the truth holders of their history, culture, practices, and reality.

  • Read Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater.

  • Prepare a portion of your budget to allocate to Indigenous organizations and survivors. This will allow you to provide monetary compensation as a form of reconciliation.

  • Lobby and advocate when police and RCMP murder Indigenous people and Women during wellness checks.

Learn more about Land Acknowledgements and calls to action from Indigenous voices