The LCO wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Cassandra Baars, Indigenous Engagement Lead, as fundamental to building this project from the ground up and in sustaining its commitment to engage openly and meaningfully with each community we met with.

We also acknowledge the members of the Indigenous Engagement Advisory Committee who gave so generously of their time, expertise, and lived experiences:

  • Myeengun Henry, Former Chief, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
  • Alana Hill, Six Nations Health Care
  • Kathleen Lickers, Lawyer
  • Megan Logan, Chiefs of Ontario
  • Katie Gasparelli, Six Nations Health Care (Advisory Group Member 2018-2020)
  • Lori Davis Hill, Six Nations Health Care (Advisory Group Member 2020-2022)
  • Donna Loft, Chiefs of Ontario (Advisory Group member 2018-2020)

We further acknowledge the contributions of Don McIntyre for his images and storytelling. Don was kind enough to paint the image that appears on the cover of this report, illustrating his story of the Four Hills also included in the paper. Don also generously contributed several other art works used throughout this paper. More of Don’s works can be found at Elevation Gallery in Canmore, Alberta (https://www.hive-elevationgallery.com/don-ahnahnsisi-mcintyre). Thanks as well to those who connected us: Cheryl Baxter of Elevation Gallery, Anna Chief of Lakehead University, and Jula Hughes, Dean, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lakehead University.

The LCO also wishes the acknowledge the contributions of Summer Law Student Scholars:

  • Adrian Zita-Bennett, LCO Student Scholar
  • Allison Nesbitt, LCO Student Scholar
  • Jonathan Simard, LCO Student Scholar

This project would not have been possible without a dedicated project grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario (LFO).

Finally, we acknowledge that this report was written during a time of pandemic. The pandemic has further disrupted Indigenous families and communities and brought illness and pain. But it also reminds us that many Indigenous health ceremonies and traditional practices include mention of pandemics. These look back in time to the effect of colonial pandemics of the past. And they look forward in anticipation of pandemics to come. Traditional knowledge and practices are the source of much resiliency and set a path we hope this report reflects towards greater autonomy over community wellness.