Land & Water

Land Acknowledgement

Refill would like to acknowledge that our storefront is located in current day Winnipeg, MB that is located on Treaty 1 Territory.

Treaty 1 was signed by the following seven nations in 1871; Baaskaandibewi-ziibiing (Brokenhead), Zaagiing (Sagkeeng), Gaa-ginooshkodeyaag (Long Plain), Oshki-ishkonigan (Peguis), Okwewanashko-ziibiing (Roseau River), Gaa-wiikwedaawangaag (Sandy Bay), and Gaa-biskigamaag (Swan Lake).

This is also the Homeland of the Michif (Métis) Nation and unceded Dakota Territory.

Current day Manitoba is the Homeland of the Métis and the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Dakota, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dene and Inuit Peoples.

This does nothing but it is important to acknowledge that during this time of climate crisis and long before, Indigenous people and First Nations communities have been protecting the land and water from the exploitive ways of colonialism. We realize that much of the field of environmentalism has caused harm in pushing Indigenous People out of the narrative and the spaces. At Refill we are dedicating ourselves to holding space for Indigenous activists and organizations, especially youth. When it’s okay to have our space open to people we would love to support you with access to an accessible space to organize.

Water Acknowledgement

Refill would like to acknowledge that our water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, which is an Ojibwa or Ontario Saulteaux First Nation, located on Treaty 3 Territory. We would like to acknowledge the harm that was caused when the aqueduct was built over an old native burial ground beginning in 1912. Shoal Lake 40 First Nation has been protecting and preserving water they do not drink since the aqueduct, which carries clean lake water directly into Winnipeg, was finished in 1919.

UPDATE: Shoal Lake finally can turn on a tap and have clean drinking water, as much as this is a celebration can I also mention how shameful it is that it is taking this long to get clean tap water to First Nations communities.

There are currently 51 long term water advisories for First Nations communities, if you are looking for the most updated info here is what we found.