Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day and the Goulbourn Museum is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin AnishinĂ beg. This land was taken under Treaty 27 and 27 ÂĽ, also known as the Rideau Purchase of 1819/1822. The Algonquin AnishinĂ be peoples have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial. We deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place and thank them for their contributions, as well as the contributions of the MĂ©tis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples in shaping and strengthening this community.
As an institution mandated to preserve and communicate local culture, it is absolutely necessary to acknowledge the purposeful exclusion of Indigenous peoples and their culture throughout recorded history. This acknowledgement recognizes the contributions and historical importance of Indigenous peoples. The Goulbourn Museum is committed to denouncing historical and ongoing cultural genocide against these groups, decolonizing our narratives, and relaying informed representations of the past by contextualizing research with Algonquin AnishinĂ be perspectives where appropriate.
Our acknowledgement is subject to change and growth as we learn and become more involved in our community. We aspire to be a gathering place for all walks of life and hope that one day, every one of our neighbours will see themselves reflected in our museum.