As a feminist organization committed to intersectional equity, we recognize that our work must begin with acknowledgment. Colonialism, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression have caused deep and ongoing harm — disproportionately impacting the lives of Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people, African Nova Scotians, LGBTQ+, migrant communities, people with visible and invisible disabilities, children, and men.
Honouring the Land and Treaties
Confronting Colonial Harms
Our Commitments
We acknowledge that Lilac Place stands on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw and Wabanaki peoples. Traditionally called Nemcheboogwek—“going up rising ground”—this land is also known today as Amherst, Nova Scotia. We honour the Mi’kmaq as the original stewards of this place and recognize their deep and enduring relationship with it. Rather than surrender their land, the Mi’kmaq entered the Peace and Friendship Treaties with the British Crown. These treaties, still in effect today, call us to live with respect, cooperation, and coexistence.
Reconciliation requires acknowledging the deep harms caused by colonial policies. Among them is the Centralization policy of the 1940s and 1950s, which pressured Mi’kmaw and Wabanaki communities to abandon traditional lands and relocate to larger reserves. One place where this history is still felt is Franklin Manor 22, part of Millbrook First Nation. Franklin Manor carries the legacy of early Mi’kmaq and Acadian settlement, the trauma of displacement, and the resilience of a people who resisted erasure here in Cumberland County. Today, it continues to face the long-term effects of isolation, underfunding, and systemic barriers.
We honour the rights of Mi’kmaw and Wabanaki communities, including Franklin Manor, to self-determination, cultural resurgence, and thriving futures. We also recognize that Indigenous women and communities face compounded inequalities from colonialism and patriarchy. We strive to ground our work in anti-colonial practice, inspired by Indigenous women-led grassroots movements. We pledge to learn, reflect, and act—integrating Indigenous teachings, challenging colonial frameworks, and renewing this commitment each year. We also commit to revising these acknowledgements on a regular basis in response to feedback and community need.
African Nova Scotian Statement
We honour the deep history, strength, and resilience of African Nova Scotian communities — people whose presence in this province spans more than 400 years. We acknowledge the generations who have built, nurtured, and sustained communities across Mi’kma’ki, including right here in Cumberland County.
At Lilac Place, we recognize that the ongoing impacts of anti-Black racism and systemic inequities continue to shape access to safety, opportunity, and belonging of Black women, children, gender expansive folks and men. We commit to listening, learning, and working in solidarity with African Nova Scotian communities toward equity, justice, and care.
In so doing, we are committed to building meaningful partnerships with Black Nova Scotians in the area, seeking access to supportive spaces and mutual aid. If you’re part of this community and looking for space or support to organize, we invite you to connect with us. Recognizing that our support may mean offering direct resources or stepping aside to make room and share space.
Accessibility Policy
Lilac Place is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, included, and supported. We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility — one that requires awareness, flexibility, and care.
We strive to ensure that our programs, events, and spaces are accessible to all women, gender-expansive people, and community members who engage with us. This includes working to remove barriers — physical, sensory, financial, technological, or systemic — that prevent full participation.
Whenever possible, we provide accommodations such as alternative formats, physical access supports, sensory-friendly environments, and other individualized measures. We welcome feedback and collaboration to help us identify and address barriers as they arise.
Our commitment to accessibility is guided by principles of equity, dignity, and respect. We understand that true accessibility goes beyond compliance — it means actively creating spaces that foster safety, agency, and belonging for everyone.
To request accommodations or share feedback about accessibility at Lilac Place, please contact us.
