Constitution

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Article 1:

Treaty and Traditional Territory Acknowledgement

The German-Canadian Congress meets on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the homeland of the Metis Nation. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration. 

Article 2:

Truth and Reconciliation and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples have suffered under colonial and postcolonial policies. We believe that to work respectfully with Indigenous nations, our staff needs to be aware of the collective impact that intergenerational trauma continues to have on Indigenous children, youth, and families. We are guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which establishes the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples and protects them from discriminatory policies and practices. We are also guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's final report, and in response to their Calls to Action, we will: Provide education for management, staff, and members on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal— Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism. New Paragraph