This Truth and Reconciliation Day, University of Toronto President Meric Gertler joined his colleagues in issuing a land acknowledgement that observers have noted differed from the typical acknowledgments heard in lectures and past events.
“We here, at the University of Toronto want to continue to recognize that the land we operate on was and still is inhabited by the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit,” a clearly sweaty Gertler stated. “But we also want to acknowledge that this stolen land will not be given back anytime soon.”
The acknowledgement was followed by a much-anticipated announcement detailing the new ways UofT is reconciling with the stolen land they’re operating on. Some of the university’s progressive actions include new signs stating “This Land Used To Belong To Some Tribes (We Don’t Remember Their Names) But Thankfully It’s Ours Now” and encouraging you to hug any Indigenous people you see.
“We hope these signs, which will be installed all over campus, will be a way of motivating mindfulness among our students and faculty, encouraging all of us to pause and remember the indigenous voices and groups that still lay claim to these grounds… But we aren’t gonna, like, do anything about it”.
When pressed about why the university plans to hold onto the stolen land Toronto was built upon, Gertler restated the university’s dedication to reconciliation with indigenous peoples and groups, then invoked the ancient principle of “No Takesies Backsies.”