Land Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I am a guest in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726. These treaties did not deal in the surrendering of lands and thus I wish to honor this treaty by acknowledging that I am a guest in Mi'kma'ki and respectfully call Kjipuktuk home for as long as I am welcome, I come with respect for this land that I am on today, and for the people who have and do reside here.  

As a non-Indigenous person, myself, I am committed to learning to speak Mi'kmaq and to appreciate the Mi'kmaq ways of knowing, being and learning. I do this work in an effort against colonialism, towards reconciliation. As a personal principle I try my best to live within the principle of Netukulimk through the four core values: respect, responsibility, relationship and reciprocity. I recognize that we are all interconnected, community, environment, family and self. 

I personally recognize the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and as a personal way to enact and show the federal government through my commitment the importance of these two calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recognizing indigenous languages: 

  • 13. We call upon the federal government to acknowledge that Aboriginal rights include Aboriginal language rights. 

  • 14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles: 

i. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them. 

ii. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties. 

iii. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation. 

iv. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities. 

v. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages

 

Additionally, I advocate for these in the context of my role within the government of Nova Scotia:  

  • #18: We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to acknowledge that the current state of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct result of previous Canadian government policies, including residential schools, and to recognize and implement the health-care rights of Aboriginal people as identified in international law, constitutional law, and under the Treaties

  • #22: We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.

  • #23: We call upon all levels of government to:

i. Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health-care field. 

iii. Provide cultural competency training for all health-care professionals.

ii. Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities.