Indigenous communities have been caring for this land and our environment for thousands of years. They were stewards of Turtle Island long before European colonization. That stewardship was not based on ownership of land, but rather on caring for the land to ensure a continued abundance for all to benefit from. The land we farm is Treaty 3 Territory. The treaties were founded on agreement to share this land with settlers, not relinquish it as a piece of property. Acknowledging this and seeking to bring our own stewardship and care for the land into alignment with this way of being is how we bring reconciliation to life on this farm. 

We, the people of Pfenning’s Organic Vegetables Inc acknowledge the land we farm and live on is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Chonnonton, and Mississauga peoples. We seek to honour the Dish with One Spoon Covenant in how we farm this land, how we relate to each other, and how we care for the two legged, the four legged, the many legged, the winged ones, the swimmers, the crawlers, the plants, the trees, the soil, the waters that flow under the ground and in the river and streams, and all that are part of this land.

We are honoured to share the land we hold title to with Crow Shield Lodge, a local Indigenous led organization founded on a vision of healing for all. Crow Shield Lodge seeks to build a thriving community through Indigenous land-based healing and education.  Its core foundations are unity, equality, and understanding while walking forward together in healing and reconciliation. We have seen the positive impacts on the community already. 

We recognize that as a society we must collectively engage in discussions, and work with Indigenous groups to move forward. Reconciliation is a journey, not a destination. As we continue on this path, it will not always be smooth, and we may stumble. We hold our hearts open to listening and learning. We are committed to walking ever forward in partnership with Indigenous communities.