MEANINGFUL
LAND ACKNOLEDGEMENT
While studying on the land occupied by the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, as a student I have enriched myself into the history of the past by the roots in the land. Respectfully acknowledging the rights of Treaty 6 Territory develops our understanding of both the peoples who cherished this land before us and appreciate the history of Indigenous peoples knowledge, culture, heritage, language and traditional ceremonies.
By honoring the peoples of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakoda, Tsuu T'ina, and Dene territory, we can dive deeper into the past by learning and comprehending different ways of knowing that showcase various cultures to enrich our societal diversity. The modern ᒪᐢᑫᑯᓯᐦᐠ, maskêkosihk is one of the closet communities to the Edmonton area that are ancestors of the Cree descent, in which they are a part of the Cree language group speaking the dialect of Plains Cree. The Plains Cree of the Enoch Cree Nation people once roamed the lands as hunter-gathers, although the contemporary reality is they are a signatory of Treaty 6 under the First Nations band government to preserve the culture, spirituality, language and history of their peoples.
Reflecting deeper into the history, Treaty 6 was signed at Fort Carlton in 1876 by the Cree, Assiniboine, and Ojibwe in hopes of protecting the lands of Indigenous peoples territory and the enduring relations with the Crown and new settlers to Canada. Although the generations of promises became oppressive that led to the heartbreaks of Residential Schools, such as the Edmonton Residential School, which operated for close to 44 years, closing in the year 1968. We are mindful of the harsh colonization acts that took place on land we occupy now and grasp the entrenched assimilation that has caused many Indigenous peoples to be deprived of their cultural heritage.
Acknowledging the traditional lands of the Tsuut’ina, Woodland Cree, Michif Piyii, ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐊᐢᑭᕀ Nêhiyaw-Askiy, Ĩyãħé Nakón mąkóce, and Cree help dive deeper into the land based learning and understanding those peoples languages, culture, tradition, heritage and ceremonies. The footsteps of Indigenous peoples who walked on this land for generations prior to us, resembles traditional cultural meeting grounds, spiritual cites, meeting and trading grounds. The significance of appreciating the protected lands of the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement and the Kikino Metis settlement, allows for these peoples to cultivate rich diversity amongst Albertans as they are part of constitutionally recognized Metis land bases that foster their distinct lifestyle.
In working, studying, and inhabiting the lands of Treaty 6 Territory means that we Canadians must comprehend the past prejudice of Indigenous peoples, and give them the tools and meaningful areas to practice their traditional ways of living, to give back the quality of life that was taken from many generations. Ultimately, we must remind ourselves to honor the land and peoples that came before us and recognize their knowledge by harmonizing the meaning of the body, mind and spirit.