Land Acknowledgement

The Town of Lincoln is committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation in relationship with Indigenous peoples and communities. In the spirit of embracing the principles of Truth and Reconciliation outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s final report, the following land acknowledgment statement:

Recognizes the First Nations whose traditional territories we live, work, and play on
Honours Indigenous histories, cultures, knowledge, lands, and treaties
Offers gratitude for Indigenous peoples, both in the past and the present, and their contributions to our communities
Acknowledges that settlers’ presence on the land is part of a colonial history that has caused significant harm to Indigenous peoples and communities
Reflects on our relationship and responsibility to the land and each other

Land Acknowledgment Statement

The Town of Lincoln, being part of Niagara Region, is situated on treaty land. These lands are steeped in the rich history of the First Nations such as the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Intended to guide the relationship between the First Nations and Europeans, the Two Row Wampum is an important symbol of everlasting equality, peace, and friendship. It remains the foundation upon which Canada was built, and we recognize that this mutually respectful relationship between nations is essential for reconciliation today.

There are many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people from across Turtle Island that live and work in Niagara today. The Town of Lincoln stands with all Indigenous people, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live. We recognize that we must do more to learn about the history and current situation of Indigenous people. This will help us better understand our roles and take responsibility towards reconciliation as treaty people, residents, and caretakers.

Indigenous History and Commitment to Reconciliation

We respectfully acknowledge the history of the traditional territory on which we live, work, and play. The Niagara region has been a key meeting place for many Nations over thousands of years.
The Town of Lincoln acknowledges the significance of Indigenous Treaty Rights as protected under the Canadian Constitution.
We would also like to respect the longstanding relationships of the local First Nations groups of this land and place. The Hatiwendaronk (Neutral) peoples once settled this region alongside the Algonquin and Haudenosaunee peoples and used this land as their traditional hunting grounds. The Nations that share territory lands in present-day Niagara include:
These Nations include Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples but, there are also many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people from across Turtle Island who live and work in Niagara today.
We recognize that in this territory covered by the Between the Lakes Treaty, No. 3, Indigenous rights holders have endured historical oppression and continue to endure inequalities that have largely resulted from the widespread failure of non-Indigenous treaty people to hold up their responsibilities. The Town of Lincoln recognizes our role and is committed to raising awareness of our shared commitments to taking care of this land, and to rebuilding and renewing respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit.

We encourage all of our community to take the time to read the Final Report of the TRC, and to consider how the scope of our shared and external projects can further advance progress on the Calls to Action.
Image

The Wampum Treaty is considered the “Grandfather of all treaties” and was a mutual covenant made in 1613 between representatives of the 5 Nations of the Haudenosaunee (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca – previous to the Tuscarora joining the confederacy in 1722) and representatives of the Dutch government in what is now upstate New York. The Two Row Wampum agreement was later renewed with the French, British, and American governments under the framework of the Silver Covenant Chain agreements.
After much conflict, both the Dutch and the Haudenosaunee were inspired to build peace between their nations. The Two Row Wampum covenant is a foundational metaphor and teaching across Indigenous Nations of what an equitable, mutually respectful, and healthy relationship of co-existence can be between Indigenous peoples and settler society. The Two Rows of the Wampum Belt are a visual depiction of the alliance, with two parallel lines of purple beads symbolizing the canoe carrying the Haudenosaunee peoples, traditions, laws, and lifeways; and the ship carrying the traditions and laws of the Dutch.
The Two Row Wampum teaching tells the story of two sovereign peoples separately steering their own vessel on the human-made river of peace, strength through unity, and a good mind/equal justice. It tells of two distinct peoples and political entities bound in the spirit of alliance and mutual respect for each nation’s right to self-determine their own path and agree to share the same lands and resources peaceably. This teaching was given to the Haudenosaunee peoples by the Peacemaker and ancestors and has been passed down over the centuries in the oral tradition. The Two Row and other Wampum belts are used by First Nations for the purposes of teaching, ceremony, governance, and as a model for repairing nation-to-nation relationships across Turtle Island (North America).
The following excerpt outlines the relationship and agreement between Haudenosaunee leaders and the Dutch settlers. It is based on the oral history of the Two Row Wampum covenant and belt by Cayuga Chief Jacob Thomas.

There was not much “love” between the settlers and the Natives in the beginning of first contact.

The parties began to talk about forming a friendship.

The Creator did not intend that we would live in discord, and we should respect one another instead.

They came to one mind to make a legal agreement (meaning words on paper and words in wampum belts) so that all descendants will know what was agreed upon.

They agreed on the symbols of their new relationship:
- First, they would have friendship and love as the Creator intended. In this way they would have peace. This will be symbolised by the Earth, the Creator’s creation, and its happenings (as long as the Earth lasts, so too will the agreement).
- Second, we’ll take each other by the hand (take a hold of each other’s arm). They agreed to call each other ‘brother,’ because brothers cannot control each other. They are equals.
They sealed their friendship by smoking sacred tobacco, so that the Creator will then bear witness to our agreement.
They agreed to solidify their agreements with a three-link chain:
- First link stands for friendship.
- Second link stands for our both having good minds
- Third link means there will always be peace.
Principles of the agreement:
- They both have their own authority (strength/power), and do not have jurisdiction over each other.
- They have their respective beliefs, from the same Creator.
- They have their respective laws.
- Term of the Agreement – They agreed it will last as long as:
- The Sun always makes it bright on earth.
- The Waters flow in a certain direction.
- The Wild Grasses grow at a certain time of year
Unfortunately, centuries of colonial rule by different European nations in Turtle Island corrupted the original spirit, intention, and manifestation of the values and principles of the wampum covenant. This is where the work lies for current and future generations: to protect and reaffirm the original oral teaching and live by their values and principles. In this current era of Indigenous reconciliation and righting relationships, the Two Row Wampum teaching is particularly relevant.
Image

In 1764, at Fort Niagara, twenty-four First Nations and Sir William Johnson, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, gathered for the ratification of the terms of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 and the re-establishment of good will among the First Nations of the Great Lakes region and the British Crown.

Sir William Johnson and the First Nations’ delegates were able to reach an agreement wherein peace and friendship were established in the region. The Treaty of Niagara wampum belt, also known as the Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship Belt, memorialized this agreement.

The two figures holding hands on the belt symbolize friendship and alliance that bind both parties. The links of chain woven into the belt suggest a pathway, or road, of communication between the Crown and First Nations.

During the War of 1812, nations involved with this treaty allied themselves with the British, as the nations believed the treaty bound them to the British cause.