We recognize that these lands have been inhabited and stewarded by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. We acknowledge the enduring connection that Indigenous peoples have to these lands, their rich cultural heritage, and their ongoing contributions to our communities. We express our gratitude for the opportunity to live, work, and thrive on these lands, and we commit to honoring the treaties that were made on them. We recognize the need for reconciliation and justice for Indigenous peoples, and we pledge to work towards building respectful and meaningful relationships based on mutual understanding, cooperation, and solidarity. In acknowledging Treaty 7, we strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society where the rights, histories, and voices of Indigenous peoples are recognized, respected, and valued. We acknowledge that this land acknowledgement is just one small step towards reconciliation, and we are committed to taking further actions to support Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and self-determination.
Jean Claude Munyezamu
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jean-Claude Munyezamu is a Rwandan Canadian who escaped the genocide in 1994 and volunteered in refugee camps in Somalia and Sudan before moving to Canada in 1998. In 2010, learning that children in his neighbourhood were getting into trouble, Jean-Claude took some soccer balls to a nearby green space on a Saturday morning resulting in the children starting to play together and build friendships. He continues to nurture community relationships with each participating kid and parent, while directing our growing organization.