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Land Acknowledgement

CREVAWC commissioned artwork done by Mike Cywink - the powerful eagle protects their young and provides stability and safety. See more in Mike’s interview below. 

The Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children (CREVAWC) is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton Nations, who are the original and ongoing inhabitants of this land. These lands are connected to the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.

We make this statement to counter the “Doctrine of Discovery”, recognize Indigenous lands and sovereignty and resist the invisibilization of Indigenous Peoples.

As a Centre committed to the development and application of knowledge for the prevention of gender-based violence, we recognize that Indigenous women, girls, LGBTQIA+ and Two-Spirit people are subject to disproportionately high rates of violence. This violence is deeply rooted in Canada's historical and ongoing colonial structure including, the Indian Act , the generational harms and injustices of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, birth alerts, breaches of human and Inuit, Métis and First Nations rights, and both historic and ongoing forms of systemic anti-Indigenous racism.

Colonial systems such as heterosexuality, binary genders, and patriarchy, continue into contemporary systems of oppression and are continually reinforced at all levels of life, and in all aspects of life. These, among other systems of oppression, including racism, ableism, classism, ageism and other forms of structural violence are built into the structure of Canada and act to privilege some, while disadvantaging and discriminating against Indigenous Peoples.

Advocates and leaders from Indigenous communities have been clear that a necessary step to addressing and redressing harms is transformational change. This includes fulfilling the rights of Indigenous self-determination as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Further, critical recommendations towards a transformed Canada are made and guided by the lived experience, insight, and perspectives of survivors and family members, the strength of Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the National Inquiry's Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. We uphold and support the National Action Plan 2SLGBTQQIA+ Sub-Working Group MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan Final report that envisions and outlines a transformed Canada where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people live free from violence, and be celebrated, honoured, respected, valued, treated equitably, safe and secure. This work is paramount amidst an ongoing crisis regarding missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada.

We join in these calls for action and recommendations, and others made by Indigenous Peoples, to respond to the needs of Indigenous communities, children and families. We commit to work collaboratively with communities to challenge colonialism, racism, and other forms of oppression that persist in Canada and result in disproportionate impacts of gender-based violence.

We join in calls for action on these and other recommendations made by Indigenous Peoples to respond to the needs of Indigenous children and families. We commit to continuing to work collaboratively with communities to challenge colonialism, racism, and further forms of oppression that remain pervasive in Canada and that result in disproportionate impacts of gender-based violence on oppressed communities. One of CREVAWC’s values is to acknowledge our privilege individually and collectively and one of CREVAWC’s principles is to strive to demonstrate our commitment to decolonization and anti-oppressive practices in our work.

Here are some recent initiatives we've undertaken to address gender-based violence in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples:

• Special Event on Considerations for Meaningful Collaborations - A Conversation with Indigenous Elders
• Gender-Based Violence Against Two Spirit/Indigiqueer People
• Fleeing Family Violence: Challenges for Survivors Living in Rural, Remote & First Nation Communities