Land Acknowledgement and Pledge
I would like to acknowledge the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations on whose traditional, ancestral, and stolen land I raise my family, I live, I work, and I play.
As a first-generation uninvited settler born on the traditional territories of the Mohawk Nation, I feel such conflict in my relationship with this country – it has provided me such opportunity while at the same time stripping basic human rights from the Indigenous peoples who have lived and cared for these lands for generations. I recognize my privilege and vow to work towards becoming an ally.
As such, I am making this pledge:
I pledge to learn more about the historic atrocities that have been committed against Indigenous peoples in this country. I will listen and learn - not just intellectually, but with my heart so I can begin to fathom the enormous impact these atrocities have had.
I pledge to learn more about customs and traditions of the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional and ancestral land I now live or to which I travel.
I pledge to learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and read the 94 Call’s to Action.
I pledge to learn more about treaties
I pledge to write local, provincial, and federal politicians to demand they work towards the implementation of these 94 Call’s to Action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I will hold them accountable.
I pledge to use my voice to support others and to fight for every person.
I pledge to teach my children about the true history of how we came to live in this society.
I pledge to question our current systems and learn about how they can be de-colonized in order to become a welcoming and safe place for everyone. I also pledge to question my own thinking and learn to question where my frame of refence may be coming from.
