In April 2023 For Our Kids hosted a training for For Our Kids teams, parents and allies called "More Than Words: Beyond Land Acknowledgements". The training was provided by Sara Mai Chitty, a Michi Sagig Anishinaabekwe storyteller, educator and a member of Alderville First Nation.
We explored where land acknowledgements come from. We discussed how they are a small first step toward engaging in reconciliation, how to meaningfully honour the relationships Indigenous Peoples and Nations have with the land on which we live, and why it's critical to recognize the history and ongoing harms of colonization when we gather. (Active members of For Our Kids teams who missed it can request access to the recording from the network support team: [email protected]).
Some key insights from the training:
- Relationships in Indigenous cultures are rooted in the land and maintaining good relations with the land, animals and plants.
- The process of creating a personal land acknowledgement is import, it helps you learn, reflect and connect with the land you're on. It shows you care & creating one helps you critically examine your personal or institutional connections to Indigenous peoples, nations, land, treaties and reconciliation.
- It's important to include info about treaties in our land acknowledgements, because treaties embody the relationships we have to each other & the land.
- It's important for organizations and individuals to reflect on their commitments to action beyond a land acknowledgement
There are more learning resources on Land Acknowledgements & other climate justice topics here.
