Indigenous Territory Acknowledgement

WIN Cooperative acknowledges and is thankful to live, work and gather on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish People of Southern Vancouver Island; specifically lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees Nation &  Xwsepsum: Esquimalt Nation), Scia’new: Beecher Bay Nation, T’Sou-ke Nation & W̱SÁNEĆ (BOḰEĆEN: Pauquachin Nation, MÁLEXEŁ: Malahat Nation, SȾÁ,UTW̱: Tsawout Nation, W̱JOȽEȽP: Tsartlip Nation & W̱SÍKEM: Tseycum Nation)

“For many people, the shame and secrecy that colonialism bred among Indigenous families meant that talking about their own personal histories never took place. Even less well known or talked about is the way that these historical forces shaped the lives of women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people in distinct ways that ultimately are at the root of the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people today.” – Final Report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.  

As a community service cooperative responding to gendered violence, WIN recognizes that our work is deeply related to violence against indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women, girls, and 2-Spirit individuals. We acknowledge that there is indefinite work needed to be done to reconcile with these communities. As an organization, we have much to learn and as such, are committed to strengthening and building healthy relationships with indigenous communities and continuing along a path of truth and reconciliation.