Acknowledgement & Commitment

The Indigenous Education Council (IEC) was created in 2020, and serves as a vital governance structure directly supporting the work of the Abbotsford School District's Indigenous Education Department. Council members include leaders from Semá:th First Nation, the Fraser Valley Métis Association, Mathxwí First Nation, and Dr. Gwendolyn Point, our school district's Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Advisor. This leadership council provides perspective and guidance to support the work of our school district's Enhancement Agreement.

The IEC reviewed and approved the Land Acknowledgement and “Our Commitment” to be used broadly across our district. The land acknowledgement recognizes and honours Indigenous Peoples, reminding us to start meetings and gatherings in a positive way, and our commitment statement clearly outlines our school district's role in truth, reconciliation, and education. 

 Access PPT Slides: Land Acknowledgement & Commitment

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the Abbotsford School District is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Semá:th First Nation and Mathxwí First Nation. With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers.

Updated December 2023

Our Commitment

The Abbotsford School District acknowledges historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public educational institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching and community engagement.