Jays Care recognizes that our organization is based on Treaty 13 lands ¨C traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We also recognize that we are located on the traditional home of many other nations including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewa, and Wendat Peoples. We are honored to work with and learn from communities all across these unceded lands throughout Canada. Therefore, we want to acknowledge all First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples whose original and treaty territories we stand upon across Turtle Island (aka, North America).

We see the unifying power of baseball and sport everyday, which is why Jays Care commits to standing with Indigenous peoples, listening with a good mind, and supporting communities on their journeys towards a stronger future for generations to come. To learn more about the work we do in partnership with Indigenous communities continue to scroll through this page.

A land acknowledgement is a first step but not an exclusive statement. Jays Care Foundation strives to use our platform to engage in respectful dialogue with Indigenous communities, and work towards educating all Canadians on Indigenous history and the vibrant cultures still here today. We encourage readers to use this page as a resource to further your learning and discover how you can be an ally to Indigenous peoples across the country.

Jays Care works closely with an Indigenous Advisory Committee who generously donate their time and wisdom to ensure that we are walking towards reconciliation in a good way. In the coming months, Jays Care is working with the Advisory Committee to draft a reconciliation strategy and commitment that will inform all of what Jays Care endeavors to do:

• Asennaienton (Frank) Horn, Senior Manager Community Engagement, Indigenous Collaborative, Rogers Communication
• Billie Jo Grant, Director of Indigenous Education, Wild Rose School Division
• Charmayne Nikal, Manager, Wit¡¯suwit¡¯en Child and Family Center,
• Chief Lorraine Cobiness, Chief Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation
• Erica Clark, Play Ball Coach, Okanagan Indian Band
• Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey Laforme, Chief Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
• Joceylyn Formsma, Executive Director National Association of Friendship Centres
• Jordan Koski, Youth Coordinator, Canadian Native Friendship Centre
• Josy Roske, Director of Education, Lac La Ronge Indian Band
• Laura Arndt, Chief Operating Officer, Survivors Secretariat
• Laurie Sutherland, Owner Northern4Adventures, Community Coordinator, Moose River Heritage & Hospitality Association
• Nicole McCormick, Senior Manager, Newsgathering at CityNews Toronto
• Rex Knapaysweet, Director of Youth Services, Mushkegowuk Council
• Ron Moon Walker, Consultant, Self-employed
• Sandra George, Indigenous Community Engagement, Manager, Rogers Communications
• Shirley Louie, Recreation Director, Stz'uminus First Nation
• Stephen Jackson, CEO Anishnabeg Outreach
• Todd Kuiack, Former Ambassador to Dominican Republic and member of the Pikw¨¤kanag¨¤n First Nation

In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their 94 Calls to Action after a 6-year inquiry into the atrocities of the Residential School System in Canada and the lasting effects it has caused for Indigenous peoples. Jays Care Foundation is working in collaboration with more than 150 Indigenous communities/programs across the country to address these 4 sport related calls below. To view the full TRC Calls to Action report click here.

• We are collaborating with Indigenous peoples to highlight Indigenous athletes throughout history and using our platform to provide public education on the history of Indigenous Athletes (Call #87)
• We are taking action to ensure long term athlete development by providing opportunities to communities that may not otherwise have access to baseball programming (Call #88)
• We are promoting physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being and working in partnership with Indigenous communities to reduce barriers to sports participation (Call #89)
• We are offering programs for coaches and those involved with sports (trainers, officials, leagues) that are culturally relevant and offer anti-racism awareness training programs (Call #90)
• We are working to operationalize the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are working closely with all of our partners to share education and training opportunities that will support the work that they are doing internally to address (Call #92).

Find out more about Jays Care¡¯s work in partnership with Indigenous communities here.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION:

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Home - NCTR
• Survivors¡¯ Secretariat: Recovery, Reclamation and Revitalization ¡ª Survivors' Secretariat (survivorssecretariat.ca)
• Truth and Reconciliation Report: Principles_English_Web.pdf (exactdn.com)
• Calls to Action: calls_to_action_english2.pdf (gov.bc.ca)
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: UNDRIP_E_web.pdf
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 231 Calls for Justice: 231 Calls for Justice - KAIROS Canada