Land Acknowledgement Statement

I live, work, and build my business on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininew (Cree), Anisininew (Oji-Cree), Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. These lands hold long histories, languages, and traditions that were here long before me, and I count it a privilege to be a guest here.

I also want to be honest about what the Treaties make possible in my ordinary days. The water I drink comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty 3 territory. Much of the electricity that powers my home and my work is generated in northern Manitoba, on Treaty 5 territory. I benefit from these lands and these agreements every single day, often without pausing to notice, and I want to keep noticing.

Noticing means telling the whole truth. Sourcing Winnipeg's water from Shoal Lake left Shoal Lake 40 First Nation without clean drinking water of their own for more than two decades. They are not alone. Across Canada, dozens of First Nations communities still live under long-term drinking water advisories today, some of them for decades. In a country this wealthy, I don't think any of us should look away from it.

The Treaties were meant as agreements to share the land, not to surrender it. That makes me a treaty person too. We all are. And that carries responsibility: to remember the harms of the past and their lasting impact, and to keep showing up for reconciliation through action, not only words.

So I hold this with care. I am committed to listening, to learning, and to being a respectful guest, building relationships rooted in respect, understanding, and reciprocity. This is something I intend to keep living up to.