It was with great humility that CUPE’s National Executive Board members unveiled a new piece by artist Claude Latour in the lobby of CUPE’s national office in Ottawa on September 9. The artwork honours the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation, where CUPE’s national office is located.

Claude Latour is a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg First Nation in Maniwaki, Quebec. He holds a Fine Arts diploma from Cégep Heritage College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa. Drawing inspiration from his ancestors, his artistic practice spans sculpture, painting, and video.

Latour was present at the unveiling of the land acknowledgement plaque he created for CUPE.

“As both an ambassador and an artist, I wanted to bring two cultures together. My goal was to represent Algonquin territory in both its past and present. The Ottawa River has always been a channel of communication throughout history, and I felt it was a fitting symbol of the sharing of this land between Algonquin and non-Indigenous peoples,” Latour explains.

CUPE’s National President Mark Hancock emphasizes the importance of land acknowledgements that go beyond words:

“As we prepare to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we are reminded not only of these commitments that we have made, but the work that is still ahead of us. Acknowledging the traditional territory is more than a formality, it’s a recognition of Indigenous peoples’ enduring presence and rights.”

The piece features the land acknowledgement in three languages: Algonquin, English, and French. Visitors can also scan a QR code to listen to an audio version in all three languages, a powerful way to experience the recognize the land through both visual and spoken word.

CUPE’s Diversity Vice-President for Indigenous Workers Debra Merrier shares:

“This artwork is a reminder that land acknowledgements are not just words on a plaque; they are a lifelong commitment. By seeing, hearing, and experiencing them, we honour the strength and spirit of Indigenous peoples whose traditions and knowledge continue to enrich Turtle Island.”

As CUPE’s National Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick concluded:

“This land acknowledgement sculpture is not only symbolic, but it is also a physical reminder that we continue to live and work on stolen, unceded lands and territories. May it serve as a constant reminder to us all that the work must continue.’’

We invite everyone to walk with us on the path of reconciliation. Read and hear the Indigenous land acknowledgement for the CUPE national office: https://cupe.ca/cupe-national-office-indigenous-land-acknowledgement