Sonepar would like to take this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge that the land upon which we are gathering today has been inhabited and stewarded by the Peoples of the Abenaki and Wabanaki Confederacy, as well as the Wolastoqiyik since time immemorial. By acknowledging these Indigenous Nations, we also acknowledge the stories that these lands carry about their struggles for survival and identity, recognizing colonial histories and the harms perpetuated against Indigenous communities over the last two centuries. We invite you to reflect with us upon the importance of reconciliation and collaboration with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities now living in Laval.
Artwork Description:
The Prairies River that separates Laval and Montreal runs through this illustration, with birchbark canoes floating past the landscape created by Tolba the Great Turtle, which has been based off of the Abenaki Creation Story. The sun rises from behind Tolba as this area is known as the “Land of Dawn” after the Creator filled the sky with light.