ABOUT
Engaging Indigenous
Nations, Communities, and Peoples
Our Commitment: Beginning our Collaborative Journey
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) is committed to inclusive practices, engaging and partnering with Indigenous Nations, communities and people to advance a collaborative journey through our work.
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority’s (CLOCA’s) vision is to create and maintain healthy watersheds for today and tomorrow, with a mandate to advance watershed health through engagement, science and conservation. Our objective is to provide programs and services designed to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources within our watershed.​
CONSERVATION
In all our actions, we are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the quality of the watershed. We are conservation advocates, land stewards and trusted advisors promoting science-based watershed management and working with others to improve watershed health and public safety.
COLLABORATION
We are team focused, committed to building relationships with our partners and achieving remarkable results across the watershed. We are collaborators and partners of choice and we encourage others to be watershed champions.
LEADERSHIP
We are passionate and dedicated to the work that we do. We are ethical, responsible, and committed to inspiring others to value the critical role that healthy watersheds play in sustaining our quality of life. We lead by example and encourage others to do the same.
Land Acknowledgement
The purpose of the land acknowledgement is to respectfully and meaningfully acknowledge all Indigenous Peoples and their close connection to the land and water of ancestral inhabitation.
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We acknowledge that our watershed is situated on lands within the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and the signatories of the Williams Treaties, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Hiawatha, Curve Lake, and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations. We are grateful for the Anishinaabeg who have cared for the land and waters within this territory since time immemorial.
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We recognize that this watershed is steeped in rich Indigenous history and is now present-day home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We express gratitude for this diverse group of Indigenous Peoples who continue to care for the land and shape and strengthen our community.
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The CLOCA Administration Office is located in ‘Oshawa’ which stems from an Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) word meaning “a crossing place” and has further translation as “the point at the crossing of the stream where the canoe was exchanged for the trail”. This name reflects and recognizes the importance of water and land to our community and is a reminder of this important and powerful connection between people and place in the past but also of the present and for the future.
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As a Conservation Authority, we are crossing over. We are committed to understanding the truth of our shared history, acknowledging our role in addressing the negative impacts that colonization continues to have on Indigenous Peoples, developing reciprocal relationships, and taking meaningful action toward reconciliation. We are all Treaty people.
Cooperation and Partnership
Indigenous Peoples are not only the original caretakers of the land, but continue to demonstrate strong principles for respect and protection of the natural environment. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority shares these values and can learn from further teachings and understanding. Working alongside Indigenous Peoples, together we can be a stronger voice for watershed conservation.
Guiding Principles
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority’s engagement, partnership and work alongside Indigenous Peoples and communities is guided by:
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Our shared responsibility for the stewardship of the lands, waters, and resources of the watershed for present and future generations.
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Inclusiveness and our desire to engage Indigenous nations, communities and people consistently, genuinely and respectfully.
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Our desire to collaboratively provide appropriate information, activities and programs related to Indigenous Knowledge.
Education
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority supports Indigenous history and culture training sessions for all Conservation Authority staff. Training will assist to broaden operational staffs’ knowledge and understanding of Indigenous issues in Canada, as well as Indigenous heritage and present-day culture.
Engagement
Meaningful collaboration starts with familiarity. Engagement requires continuous contact and discussion with the goal of building understanding and trust. CLOCA will work towards the development and implementation of Indigenous Engagement Guidelines to foster on-going connections with Indigenous Peoples and culture and the development of connections with members of Indigenous communities and organizations that will allow for communication of our work and opportunities for collaboration.
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority’s engagement guidelines will be a living document, updated periodically to reflect current and future input from Indigenous nations, communities and people connected to the watershed.
Learning the Language
Anishinaabemowin words were included in the activity centres of CLOCA’s 2024 Durham Children's Watershed Festival (September 24-27, 2024). These words/phrases were provided by Sarah MacLeod-Beaver, who is Anishinaabe and a member of Alderville First Nation. Sarah grew up learning Anishinaabemowin in school as a second language and has continued learning as an adult. Sarah is a certified teacher who has taught the language in provincial and federal schools and has also worked in areas related to Indigenous language revitalization and Indigenous education.
The words and phrases that were prepared for the Durham Children’s Water Festival represent both Sarah’s personal knowledge of Eastern and Southwestern Ojibwe (Anishinaabemowin) and online resources. Click on the link below to access the page on our website where you will discover the Anishinaabemowin words, along with their English translation, phonetic spelling, and an audio file of the pronunciation.
Minwaangozik nanda-anishinaabemoyeg!
Have fun as you learn to speak Anishinaabemowin!
