Niagara’s Falls Community Health Centre is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Huron, Wendat, and Neutral peoples. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by multiple Wampum agreements, including the Two Row Wampum, Friendship Wampum, and the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreements. The “Dish with One Spoon” is a treaty between the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Mississaugas of the Credit, as well as all subsequent Indigenous Nations and peoples, European settlers, and newcomers, have been invited into this treaty. This peace agreement is a commitment to share and protect the land, water, plants, and animals, with respect. It is important to note the use of spoon over knife, as this indicates a commitment to act in the spirit of peace. White settlers have historically not honoured this treaty, nor the other treaties which govern “Turtle Island”, or what is colonially referred to as “North America”. We must also acknowledge that the inter-generational impact of this trauma lives on today. 

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Niagara Falls Community Health Centre acknowledges the dark history of Canada’s health care system and its failure to Indigenous communities in countless ways. Indigenous peoples’ historic mistreatment along with ongoing racism, discrimination, and culturally unsafe care from health care providers, have resulted in increased barriers to health and wellbeing. Such barriers have resulted in innumerable tragic health outcomes.  

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Niagara Falls Community Health Centre is committed to incorporating de-colonization within our mission of partnering to support individuals with their unique health needs, ultimately creating strong and connected care for everyone who accesses our services.