In our work, we are guided by the initial treaties that are represented by the wampum belts that were historically exchanged by indigenous and non-indigenous people in North America. There are many wampum belts.

The Two Row Wampum belt is a treaty representing friendship, peace, and respect. This belt has two purple lines symbolizing a canoe and a European ship traveling down the river of life together. The canoe carries the laws, spirituality, and way of life for the First Nations or indigenous people and the ship carries the laws, religion, and way of life of the Europeans, the North American settlers. It is understood that each should travel side by side, co-existing in mutual respect and harmony.

The new District committee called Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) has the following stated purpose.

1. Promote and educate Rotarians and clubs on Indigenous issues

2. Encourage District clubs to work with Indigenous groups

3. Share info on Indigenous activities

4. Encourage clubs to work on joint projects with Indigenous neighbours

5. Encourage clubs to join RotaryHIP

Any clubs or individuals interested in this committee or want to be on the mailing list please let Jim Dawson 4jimdawson@gmail.com know.  We will be gathering and sharing events and opportunities related to Indigenous groups.

What else can Clubs do? 

Respect our indigenous peoples by acknowledging gratitude for the land and those whose traditional territory we reside on when we meet as a group.  See Land Acknowledgement in menu to left.