09/30/2025
In honour of I spent time in nature this morning reflecting on what I’ve learned over the years. As part of a grad school assignment, I researched land acknowledgements—learning their intentions and how settlers can honour the land in a meaningful way. Understanding the land's history, knowing my intention, and making it personal were teachings that resonated.
Growing up in a westernized society often taught me to keep the personal out of the professional. I’m choosing not to buy into that anymore and am learning to show up fully as me.
When facilitating or leading, I began acknowledging the land differently—by inviting connection rather than formality. I would ask: How have you connected with the land today? Or over the weekend? If you feel comfortable, share a memory of the land with the group.
My memory is climbing a mountain near my grandparents’ cottage in Quebec called “The Top of the World.” I vividly recall hiking it with my dad and sister in the fall and staring at the colourful leaves for hours. It’s one of my go-to calm places—one I can access whenever I need.
I have written a land acknowledgement that represents how I show up in this world and how I continue to take steps toward Truth and Reconciliation:
I acknowledge being on Treaty 6 territory through work and family: a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Saulteaux (So-toe), Blackfoot, Metis, Dene (De-nay), and Nakota Sioux (Sue). I remain a guest on these lands, born and raised in both the Kahnawake (gahna’wa:gee) Mohawk Territory and the Algonquin Territory. My hope in creating space for acknowledging the land is to continue being aware of my settler privilege, particularly in farming the land my family occupies, and to encourage others to discover their roots on Turtle Island while recognizing the historical and present impacts of colonization and oppression. Indigenous people are here, and their stories must be honoured and celebrated. I acknowledge the many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries and will continue to walk their journeys.
