This Land My StoryMy Story My Neighbourhood Summarizing The Future Our Vision We Want The Future The Future We Want We Want This illustration is an artistic rendering. Not intended to be an actual representation of the City of Vancouver This Land This Land Begin your conversation as a group by developing your land acknowledgement. Whose traditional territory are you meeting on? What history do you know about this place? How are you benefiting by living on this land? For additional information, please refer to the Land Acknowledgement Resource Guide included. How To Do a Territorial Acknowledgement What is a Territorial Acknowledgement? For many Indigenous people, territorial acknowledgements are reflective of traditional protocols that have underpinned complex political, economic, social, and cultural relations among First Nations and communities on these lands since long before colonization. During colonial settlement, these types of Indigenous governance systems were disregarded by incoming settlers. Indigenous rights to land and self-determination were often violently suppressed. When we practice territorial acknowledgements today, we recognize that the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples have never been extinguished. We affirm that Indigenous Peoples have maintained unique connections to this land since time immemorial. What do we mean by traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories? Traditional: Refers to land that has been, and often continues to be occupied and stewarded by First Nations. Ancestral: Refers to land that has been stewarded and shared from generation to generation. Unceded: Refers to land that was never transferred or legally ceded to the Canadian government by treaty or through any other agreement. Practicing Territorial Acknowledgements Territorial Acknowledgements are usually given by a host or facilitator at the beginning of an event, gathering, or occasion. At some larger events, you may also witness a traditional welcome. Welcomes are a distinct practice from acknowledgements which may be shared by a member of a local Nation, particularly a local Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or Leader as appropriate to local traditions and protocols. Those who are not indigenous to a territory – including Indigenous Peoples from other Nations and communities -- share territorial acknowledgements rather than welcomes. You may decide to open your Vancouver Plan conversation with a territorial acknowledgement. If you are new to the practice, the guidance below may be helpful to develop an effective acknowledgement to ground and guide your discussion. Local First Nations in Vancouver The City of Vancouver is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy’ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil- Waututh) Peoples. Who are the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil- Waututh Peoples? Musqueam Indian Band “We are traditional hən’ q’ əmin’ əm’ speaking people…We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws… To this day, we continue to practice our traditions and culture on a daily basis…xʷməθkʷəy’ əm people continue to honour our collective responsibilities to keep our culture vital and strong, share our teachings and laws, and work collaboratively to protect our environment while building a vibrant community for all.” (musqueam.bc.ca) Squamish First Nation “The Squamish Nation has existed and prospered within our Traditional Territory since time immemorial. We are Coast Salish people. Our language is the Squamish language. Our society is, and always has been, organized and sophisticated, with complex laws and rules governing all forms of social relations, economic rights and relations with other First Nations. We have never ceded or surrendered title to our lands, rights to our resources or the power to make decisions within our territory… The Squamish culture is rich and resilient. We continue to practice our customs and traditions, which are strongly interconnected with our Traditional Territory. Together with our lands, our customs and traditions are the foundation of who we are as Skwxwú7mesh.” (squamish.net) Tsleil-Waututh Nation “Tsleil-Waututh First Nation: We are the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, “People of the Inlet.” According to archaeological evidence and our oral history, Tsleil-Waututh people have lived in this Traditional Territory for thousands of years. Our ancestors travelled throughout the territory, keeping villages in different locations to live wherever seasonal resources were plentiful. Our lands and waters have shaped our culture and will be central to our way of life for generations to come. We will continue to put the face of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation back on our Traditional Territory, build capacity within our community, and participate on all levels—social, ecological, cultural, economic—in decision making within our lands. It is our obligation and birthright to be the caretakers and protectors of our Traditional Territory.” (twnation.ca) Understanding Your Connections Territorial acknowledgements are not formalities. Rather, they should set a clear context and guide your work and discussion. This can involve connecting the acknowledgement to the subject matter of your work and your relationship to the land. The following questions provide opportunities to reflect, research, and thoughtfully prepare some ideas to add to your land acknowledgement: — What is the history of these lands? — What are the impacts of colonialism on this land? — What is your relationship to these lands? How did you come to be here? — How am I benefitting by living on this land? — How do Indigenous rights relate to the subject matter of your discussion/event? Beyond the land acknowledgement, what are your intentions to disrupt, challenge, and dismantle colonial systems around you? Putting it Together It is most common to start a territorial acknowledgement by recognizing the local First Nations. For a territorial acknowledgement made in the City of Vancouver, you might begin: “Today, we are gathered here on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy’ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil- Waututh) Peoples”. You can build on this basic acknowledgement by articulating the connections and accountabilities of your work to the territories and local First Nations. Proceed with the understanding that territorial acknowledgements are a process of personal and collective development, and not necessarily something that can be “done right” in the moment. Sources: lspirg.org/knowtheland native-land.ca/territory-acknowledgement students.ubc.ca/ubclife/welcome-musqueam-territory students.ubc.ca/ubclife/welcome-musqueam-territor amnesty.ca/blog/activism-skills-land-and-territory- acknowledgement ictinc.ca/first-nation-protocol-on-traditional-territory toronto.ca/city-government/accessibility-human-rights/ indigenous-affairs-office/land-acknowledgement cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/territorial-acknowledgements- indigenous-1.4175136 folio.ca/how-to-do-a-territorial-acknowledgment theeyeopener.com/2019/01/hayden-king-and-others- question-the-effectiveness-of-land-acknowledgemenets Moving Beyond Acknowledgement We recognize that a territorial acknowledgment is only a small step in our path forward. Continuing the work, it is everyone’s responsibility to practice critical reflection and to continue the process of learning and relationship building. This may involve taking action to learn more about Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and movements and to dig deeper into the ongoing impacts of colonization. It may also take the form of getting involved with local Indigenous groups where appropriate or standing in solidarity by supporting, volunteering, or working with Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations. vancouverplan.ca #vancouverplan My Story My Story Who are your ancestors and where did they call home? Go around the table and discuss your family story and how you arrived on this land. My Story What brought you to Vancouver? What were your thoughts of the city before you arrived? What was your initial experience like? How has the city lived up to your expectations (or not)? 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