First published in:

Walking Together in a Good Way

WRITTEN BY:

CHERYL BEAR

READING TIME:

min read

A GOOD WAY OF BEGINNING

LEARN WHOSE
TERRITORY YOU ARE ON

Indigenous people value land foremost. Land is identity. We are not defined by our jobs, but by the land. Find out on whose traditional land your home, church or school resides and begin to confront the place of privilege you enjoy as a result of these lands. A land acknowledgement with the word, “unceded,” is the first step toward reconciliation. My grade six teacher said, “We’re going to learn about Indians in Canada.” I was happy. Wow! Us! But then the teacher said, “We’re learning about the Hurons, and they might be extinct.” I was shocked. And felt invisible. Acknowledging the traditional territory where you live makes us visible. And it is honouring. A very important step in this journey.

~ CB