Land acknowledgement

Rural eMentoring BC (ReMBC), whose offices are located at UBC Vancouver’s Campus, would like to acknowledge that we work on the traditional, ancestral and un-surrendered territory of the Musqueam People. Land acknowledgment is about reflecting on the places where we reside and work and play, while respecting all peoples and their experiences, and in recognition of the Indigenous traditions and ties to the land.

Land acknowledgment can help build understanding about our relationships and responsibilities to the Indigenous people and lands where we live and work. It is a living celebration of Indigenous communities and relationships, and appreciation for the rich history and culture of the lands where we live and work. 

In these videos, two of our dedicated mentors, Ethan and Brendan, share their personal land acknowledgments, reflecting on the importance of recognizing and respecting the Indigenous lands on which we live and work.

Video: Ethan, Land acknowledgment

Video: Brendan, Land acknowledgment

Understanding the importance of land acknowledgment

A message from Angela Nash

My name is Angela Nash and I am Wəlastəkwewiyik (Maliseet) from Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation) in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I live, work and play on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) People of the River Grass. Unceded means that this land was never surrendered, relinquished or handed over in any way.   

I recognize Indigenous peoples’ relationship with the land that spans millennia. I pay respect to my ancestors, my culture, my ceremonies, my traditions and my ties to the land. I thank all those who have gone before us, and all those who will come after us.   

The lands we reside on as a country hold the stories and song of Indigenous Peoples from time immemorial. Indigenous people are people of oral traditions, and what we hear is important and never forgotten. The land gives us our identity, and acknowledging where we are from and where we are, helps us all to understand who we are. This is why the connection to land is so important to Indigenous People. 

Land acknowledgment is a part of reconciliation, and as such I give you all the responsibility to continue your self-education by asking questions and learning more about reconciliation.  Questions like… What can you do to better care for the land? Who lived on this land before you?  And I invite you to learn more about Land Acknowledgment and to learn about UBC’s Indigenous Strategic plan, and ReMBC’s own Indigenous Initiatives.  

  

I invite you all to research what traditional lands you live, work and play in so that you can in your own way give acknowledgment.   

Wəliwən, Wela’lin, Thank you 

Angela Nash  

eMentoring Indigenous Initiatives Manager

Juliet’s personal Land Acknowledgment

I live and work on what’s now known as UBC’s Point Grey Campus, the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) people . This is my home so I have thought a lot about what the land here means to me – and I realized that means a lot! In my email signature I say that I ‘find inspiration, meaning and peace’ from being here. I write this because if I ever need to find any of those things I can just go outside or take a walk, and I acknowledge how lucky I am to be able to do that. I know that this would not be possible without the strength and tenacity of the Musqueam people, who have cared for this land since time immemorial and then fought to protect it after colonization. I thank them for their stewardship and hope to honour them by passing on an appreciation and respect for the land to those who come after me.

Parvaneh’s personal Land Acknowledgment

Hi, I’m Parvaneh. As a settler on these lands, I want to acknowledge that I live, work, and learn on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, who have been taking care of these lands for thousands of years. I’ve come to realize the importance of honoring this history and culture, and I’m committed to continuing to learn and understand more about Indigenous peoples and their deep connection to the land. It’s important to me that I show respect and gratitude and pass this knowledge on to my children, so we can all better honor the original stewards of these lands.

Truth and Reconciliation

What is Truth and Reconciliation?  Does it really affect me?  How can I participate?

Truth and Reconciliation is both an individual, and collective, action.  Individual because it is something that you need to educate yourself on, process, then decide what you are going to do about it.  Collectively because we are always strong with more voices, and to create education and change we have to be collaborating with each other.  If you are living in Canada, it affects you, if you have Indigenous people in your life, it affects you.  If you care about human rights, it affects you.  Talking, coming up with ways to get involved are a few ways to do that.  Participating in September 30th events is another way to get out and be involved and to also honour the day as it is meant to be.  Become an ally.  Get involved.  Get educated. 

In these videos, Ethan and Brendan, share their perspectives on Truth and Reconciliation, reflecting on its significance and what it means to them personally as part of their journey toward understanding and supporting Indigenous communities.

  

Video: Ethan, Truth and reconciliation

Video: Brendan, Truth and reconciliation

Please check out this FAQ document on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to learn more about the key principles, rights, and how they apply in Canada.

Learn more here about the Government of Canada’s approach to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and what it means for Indigenous communities and reconciliation efforts.