Land Acknowledgements

Following worship on November 19, 2023 I was delighted to have more than 30 parishioners from St. Anne’s Steveston spend time with me exploring what Land Acknowledgements are and what they can be.

It was an opportunity for people to ask questions and share concerns about what a Land Acknowledgement actually means and if there are any consequences or commitments involved.

The goal was to explore our individual thoughts and ideas about Land Acknowledgements rather than trying to convince everyone to think the same way.

We shared how it can be “grounding” and used to centre us where we find ourselves. It recognizes the people who have lived here and cared for the land for thousands of years. Honest concerns were expressed whether such actions could be used in the future in a land claims process. Kerry responded this is unlikely given the fact such arguments have not been used in any land claims actions to date. Recent court cases have focused on assessing continuous and exclusive occupation of land as the basis for a claim of title. We also explored how “just saying the words” without any commitments to actions makes the process more about “correctness” rather than engagement.

We spent time hearing how Indigenous identity is directly connected to “the Land.”  Ray Aldred and Matthew Anderson’s recent book “Our Home and Treaty Land.” Was recommended as a resource.

In our everyday speech the word “treaty” is thought of as a document made to resolve conflict.  For Indigenous Peoples the word “treaty” is about engagement and maintaining right relationships, not correcting past negative ones.

At the end of the session people were asked to write down words and questions they had about Land Acknowledgements now and compare those thoughts with the ones they had recorded when we started the session.

One individual came up to me and said, “one of my words changed, and the word I added was ‘relationship.’”  It is all about relationships, with ourselves, with others and with the Creator.  Hopefully we will continue to share, have deep respectful conversations, and grow in the relationships that truly matter.

IMAGES

• Kerry presenting to the group at St. Anne's
• St. Anne's rector, the Reverend Marnie Peterson introduces Kerry
• A good range of age groups represented at the lunch and Land Acknowledgment presentation
• Folks engaged with the project
• More younger members of the parish and one not as young.

Photos: Marnie Peterson