Let us acknowledge that the Quinte region, like other cherished land and water around the globe, is traditionally home to diverse Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe (Ah- nish-in-ah-bay), Huron-Wendat (Huron-wen-dat) and Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) people. We express deep gratitude for the opportunity to co-exist and collaborate with Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee people, while we live, work, play, learn, and serve together; for a higher calling and greater purpose. 

Our acknowledgement extends beyond the arrival of the earliest European settlers, highlighting our recognition of this region's longer history; one which predates European immigration, broken treaties, unfulfilled promises and explicit harm. Given the presence of many churches and diverse institutions, our call-to-action is for community, as well as organizations, and businesses to engage in Equity action to foster Truth and Reconcili-action as a unified global community.

We share one unified planet --- the many systems within it cannot be separated/divided from one another. Likewise, as hu(e)mans, we share a common humanity. Our collective effort to acknowledge, address, and repair historical, and present-day injustices will continue to stretch and challenge our minds and hearts to keep reaching higher; calling us to dive deeper and tap into our capacity to envision our region as a global leader in deep, transformative reconciliation work!

​In the words of Phil Fontaine, Chief of Assembly of First Nations, "Reconciliation is about our common future." Because permaculture inspires us to synchronize with natural systems of our planet, we can absorb identities that unify us (while honouring our similarities, differences, unique perspectives and experiences) and discard divisive identities and labels. Join us, lets work together towards relationship repair to manifest true peace that transcends all understanding. 

The Quinte Cultural Innovation Committee invites you too, to exercise your capacity to see yourselves as a pro-active change makers, who think outside-the-box, and take meaningful, peaceful action. "Peace is you." - Emmanuel Jal 

QCIC forecasts that our joint effort will put our region on the global map, recognizing our local organizations, institutions, businesses and residents as those who pro-actively engaged in deep, difficult, self-reflective work to be radically truthful; fostering reconciliation through real action.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the Creator of love and peace will be with you." - Saint Paul

While Equity, Inclusion and Diversity policies and procedures are essential, real change is an inside job, calling for the recalibration of every heart.