In Solidarity.
A Poetic Land Acknowledgement by: aloT of Poetry
Wicispa Oyade.
Guts-ists-I.
Otos-kwunee.
Names spoken in tongues that thanked the buffalo for sharing its abundance with them before time had a name.
We gather in this place where each step is not simply a step but a story.
Before the Scottish language gave it a new name, this place called Calgary was home to a vast history.
Each organism, each creature, a spirit that is part of the land’s tale. Told by the elders and knowledge keepers.
Passed down from generations of people who were forced to hide their True names, True faith, True language and True selves.
Today and every day we must respect where we stand and we say their names:
Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi (ee-YETH’-kah nah-COH’-dah WHISK’-ah-tah-bay) First Nations
The ancestral and traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy
Siksika.
Piikani.
Amskaapipiikani.
Kainai First Nations.
Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi First Nations - comprised of the Chiniki ,Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation.
The historic homeland of the Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory (Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6).
All non-indigenous people who have made their home here.
Take a breath.
The air we breathe is filled with the past breaths of spirits still watching over their descendants.
Where they have cried.
Where they gathered
Where they danced.
Where they bled.
Their ancestors took care of the land as an extension of themselves.
Existing in harmony- holding hands with Creator as they guarded the earth.
A sacred bond- a partnership- a team.
Long before colonial eye saw it as land -saw it as gold.
Long before they set their eyes on this earth and decided to take her.
Before broken treaties were spoken in anglo tongues
Before pen was to paper.
It is because of how we come to be in this place Calgary.
That we must look back and recognize where we are now.
That we just comprehend the price that was paid and the generational trauma in interest that was gained.
We must learn from their joy.
We must learn from their ways
We must learn from their journey.
We must learn from their pain.
We must learn from the scarred history of So-Called-Canada.
We must look to those who followed to where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet to converse.
Where people and land spoke to each other.
Where they whispered secrets and guided their people.
Where they shared resources, ideas and opportunities.
A confluence of communities.
I travelled from my home to a place where my people fled Canada’s Southern neighbour.
To escape a life of captivity.
They came here and they were met with open arms by the Indigenous communities.
We acknowledge that to move forward we must stand with those very same arms that welcomed all of us.
In the face of adversity, they continue to be
True to their roots and Firm in their voice.
Now those of us here in Moh-kins-tsis have a choice.
To stand by Turtle Island’s People, hear them when they speak.
Stand when they stand when they tell us what they need.
We gather here in someone else’s home and we have left irreversible footprints.
I hope that now the footprints we leave are together.
Unwaveringly
Unapologetically
In solidarity.
