I would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which I choose to reside in is located in the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabeg. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties, which is within the lands protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” Wampum agreement who invites ALL Peoples into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.
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This treaty reminds us that ALL Peoples eat from the Dish with only One Spoon meaning that we have to share the responsibility of ensuring that ALL Peoples are feed regardless of class, gender, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language and any other forms of prejudices. It also reminds us that we must protect, monitor and maintain the land for ALL creatures of this earth (human, floral and animal alike) for current and future generations on top of taking only what we require in order to leave enough for other generations to enjoy.
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It’s unfair to leave problems for the future generation to fix when they have been actively encouraging us to change our social constructs and behaviours as they see the dangers ahead. Let’s listen, make yourself accountable for the current state and develop individual successes that each of us can accomplish daily to push social constructs towards this long-term change. Taking the first step is always the most difficult part.
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I’d like to finish by recognizing that the Anishinaabeg as well as other Indigenous communities continue to endure colonialism as our society continues to gentrify their communities across this Province and this Country. In a country where we cherish diversity and inclusion, actions seen and reported demonstrate that Indigenous communities do not receive basic entitlements.
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I encourage all Indigenous communities and allies to these communities to take-up space and reclaim the land that was forcefully taking from you in order to bring balance to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. The Canadian Government and various communities are not following the terms of the Agreement.
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I thank you for the land where I live and enjoy.
