Land Acknowledgement
As someone of European and Irish descent who has spent most of my life in the Kootenays, I am continually learning what it means to live as a respectful guest on this land. I acknowledge the ongoing presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples and commit to listening, learning, and acting in solidarity.
I would like to acknowledge that I live, learn, and work on the beautiful, traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation. I offer respect and gratitude to the Indigenous peoples, whose stewardship of this land has continued since time immemorial. In particular, I recognize the four Ktunaxa communities connected to this land: ʔaq̓am, ʔakisq̓nuk, Yaqan Nuʔkiy, and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it.
I am committed to respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous peoples, fostering truth and reconciliation through relationship, education, and awareness. I recognize that colonial systems, including residential schools, were tools of cultural erasure, imposed by those in power, and that they caused deep, lasting harm to Indigenous families, languages, and communities. It is our shared responsibility to acknowledge this truth and work toward a more just and equitable future.
ʔaq̓am Community | St. Mary’s Indian Band
Home – Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation
Cover photo credit: Jonny Gios (@supergios) | Unsplash Photo Community