LAND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Two Cedars is a collaborative project with settlers, First Peoples, and the wisdom from many shared Ancestral Territories and vast regions that have been effected by neocolonialism. These include the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, the Atlantic East Coast and South Asia:
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The Community of Laxgalts’ap - Nisga’a Nation - Nass Valley, British Columbia
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Tsimshian First Nations - around the Skeena River and Terrence, British Columbia
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The Coast Salish Peoples - xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh) and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Shared Territories - Vancouver, British Columbia
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We Wei Kai First Nation - Kwakwaka’wakw Territory - Campbell River, British Columbia
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The Peoples of the Massachusett Territory, the Nipmuc Nation, and their neighbors the Wapanoag Tribes of the Nippenet - "the freshwater pond place" - Greater Boston, Massachusetts
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Tiohtiá:ke to the Haudenosaunee, as Mooniyang to the Anishinaabeg - Montreal, Quebec
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The many generations and knowledge keepers of The Vedas and Hatha Yoga from Hyderabad, India to the Indus and Sarasvati river valleys of Bharatvarsha.
We recognize the long-term impact of colonial rule, the cultural genocide and oppression that took place on these Unceded Homelands, and the pervasiveness of structural racism. The violence towards Indigenous Peoples continues when treaties are broken, waters are polluted, and stories are silenced.
We are committed to the actions and values rooted in anti-oppression and universal trauma-informed care.
We pay respect to the Sages and the Elders who came before us, and to all First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous Peoples globally who have continuously cared for these Lands which now care for all of us.
Why do we acknowledge the Land?
Acknowledging the Land is an ongoing, mindfulness practice and an Indigenous protocol.
On September 13th 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a universal framework entitled United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), after many years of consultation with communities worldwide. These guiding principles acknowledge that “indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired” (Article 26), and states these rights “recognized herein constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.” (Article 43)
We recognize the Land as a way of not just honouring Indigenous rights but also expressing our gratitude to those whose Territories we are connected to -- a small but important step in understanding and remaining in right relations.
Curious to know more about settler-Indigenous relations or supporting a culture of healing?
We recommend these resources:
FREE Online Learning
Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity
FREE | Harvard University Native American Program, Global health and Social Medicine Seminars with Dr. Donald Warne
The Urban American Indian Traditional Spirituality Program: Community Engagement and Cultural Adaptation in Indigenous Health FREE | Harvard University Native American Program, Global health and Social Medicine Seminars with Dr. Joseph P. Gone
Research with Indigenous People: Ethical Considerations and Community Engagement
FREE | Harvard University Native American Program, Global health and Social Medicine Seminars with Dr. Alexandra King and Dr. Malcolm King
FREE | A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and from the Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta, exploring Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
FREE | A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and from the University of Alaska, exploring the relationships between salmon and people with an emphasis on the special ties of salmon to Indigenous Peoples and to Alaska Natives in particular.
New Zealand Landscape as Culture: Wai (Water)
FREE | A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and from the Victoria University of Wellington, this course explores the lives and identities of Indigenous Māori people who can trace their ancestry to their awa, or river, as well as the European, Pākehā perspectives on water. Discussing colonization and how the different cultures interpret and relate to water.
Articles
This Land Is Your Land: Why are “urban” and “Indigenous” cast as opposing identities? - Harvard Graduate School of Design
What are land acknowledgements and why do they matter? - by Selena Mills
Other Supportive Links
M̓i tel'nexw Leadership Society - Squamish-led Leadership Training
www.native-land.ca - mapping project
www.irsss.ca - Residential School Survivors Society
www.dudesclub.ca - Brotherhood to Support Men’s Health and Wellness
www.sanyas.ca - San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training