Friends of Ruby – a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land Friends of Ruby is on today has been the traditional territories of many sovereign nations and peoples, including the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We understand that Tkaronto (often referred to as Toronto) is subject to the Dish with One Spoon treaty and that we as people occupying this land are living within this treaty. We acknowledge that we all have our own unique journeys which brought us to this land, and we invite you to reflect on your own personal journey that brought you to this land. We acknowledge that those of us who are settlers are here on this land today as we continue to benefit from the injustices of our past. We recognize that Tkaronto continues to be home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful for the chance to live and work on this land. As an organization dedicated specifically to the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth we must also acknowledge all the Two-Spirit and Indigequeer folks who have come before us and paved the way for this kind of work, as well as those who continue to live and work on this land.

Anti-Black Racism Statement

Friends of Ruby recognizes that Black 2SLGBTQIA+ youth face racism in all aspects of their lives.  As an organization we are committed to change this reality! We stand in support with the Black Community to remove systemic barriers and are prioritizing the well-being and mental health of our Black 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. We acknowledge that working against anti-Black racism is an active lifelong journey and will continue engage in this work.