Acknowledging the land and water

The land that the CN Tower stands on was reclaimed from Lake Ontario, the shores and waters of which were a meeting place for many Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. And now, this land is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. 

We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN)

Elements of the mural titled Kiinwin Dabaadjmowin, or “Our Story”, have been reproduced with the permission of the MCFN.

We are honoured that Knowledge Keeper Kim Sault shared the history of the Anishinaabe people and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation with us. We give thanks for the Teachers and Elders that mentored Kim, including Jim Dumont (Onaubinasay) and Larry McLeod (Nimkii Ninii).

The original mural was painted directly on the walls of the library at the Lloyd S. King Elementary School in the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation community. It was created collaboratively by Indigenous artists Philip Cote, Rebecca Baird and Tracey Anthony, with help from aspiring local youth artists.

The art featured in the videos was originally reproduced to be showcased at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. As the Host First Nation for the games, the MCFN used their beautiful murals to showcase their long and storied history to the world. The CN Tower and its parent company, Canada Lands Company, are committed to advancing reconciliation and providing opportunities to learn about and celebrate Indigenous peoples and cultures. 

The treaty lands and territory of the MCFN consists of approximately 3.9 million square acres of land, waters, and resources and includes the cities of Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo and Niagara Falls amongst others. 
 
The treaty respecting lands in the vicinity of Toronto was negotiated twice between the Crown and the MCFN. The initial “agreement,” reached in 1787, was invalidated when the Crown discovered irregularities in the treaty document. 
 
The treaty was then renegotiated as Treaty No. 13, also known as the Toronto Purchase, in 1805. The Crown provided a payment of 10 shillings for the land, approximately $60 today. You can learn more about Treaty 13 here.
 
MCFN stewards the lands and waters that make up much of the greater Golden Horseshoe region. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation continues to welcome and host to their treaty lands all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who call this place home.  
 
You can learn more about MCFN here.