First Peoples

In my previous post, I provided a very brief summary of Reconciliation in Canada. Giving the reader the opportunity to see the 35,000-foot level view of what Reconciliation is in our country known as Canada. To know the history of Crown Indigenous relations since contact and how Canada was truly built on a tragic history of elimination of the First Peoples from our territories, coast to coast. Most of this history was not taught to Canadians and what is being taught today is still limited and from a place based in colonialism. I do not share this to create quilt or shame, only for you to know the truth and own our truth as a country. It is our story.

How do we transform our present for the future if we cannot acknowledge our truth of the past? It’s not about reliving this past but to own it, be accountable and responsible for it. So that we can now take measures for transformation from our current state to a desired future, which our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, are crying for. We all deserve a future that is not in chaos, but is built on human values, reciprocity and relationship.

Why did I title this post, First Peoples? Mostly, just to get you, the reader, to think about this a bit deeper than as a title or definition for a group of Peoples; whether you know about us, have negative perspectives about us, or even care about us. This may make you feel uncomfortable or unsettled with this truth, but it is fact.

We are the First Peoples of our territories and lands, and those that arrived from other lands are settlers to these lands and territories.

Which makes you a settler in this country, even if your families have been here for generations. You have an origin story from where you come from and who you belong to.  It did not originate on our territories and lands.

Every First Nation has its origin stories that tells every generation who they and where they come.  Our languages are born out of these lands and territories. We have places names for everywhere in our territories and we have stories that share our governance, values, understanding protocols and practices, etc.

Here is a version of a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) origin story:

Ti S7a7ú7 Swa7ám Chet – One of the First Ancestor Stories of the Squamish People

The story of our Ancestors begins with Ts̓ek̲ánchtn a man who lived in Chk̲ẃelhp (near Gibson’s, BC) where he and his wife raised a family.  After many years he heard a loud noise and discovered a man named Sx̲eláltn dancing Sx̲waýxwey (a ceremonial rite) on his roof.  He was invited down but Sx̲eláltn continued to dance until the ceremony was complete.  These two men (brothers) eventually parted ways and Sx̲eláltn formed a second village across the creek at Schenk̲ where he raised his own family.  They survived on the riches of the sea and forest.  Their descendants would spread over the land, across the water to Vancouver Island and up and down the coast.

Resource: Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

To hear this story, please visit the Museum of Vancouver’s Temíxw - Stories from the Land virtual exhibit: https://museumofvancouver.ca/temixw-stories-from-the-land. Click on x̱i7lanexw - ts'ḵanch'tn iy sx̱elal'tn – First Ancestors at Gibson’s Landing and the man who appeared.

I am not trying to create separation, be exclusionary or to create divisiveness in our spaces. It is to understand and know this as truth. Which creates a unique relationship between us. This is not to be taken lightly. We look to Canada and every Canadian to build a relationship with the First Nations within the territory where they live, work and play. Our Reconciliation journey is dependent on this truth, as well acknowledgement and understand this unique relationship.

I share all this because we can transform how we are relationship when we do this and when we continue to hold space for it. Our future generations will be guided by what we do today, and I hope that my son does not have to continue to carry such as heavy burden of the SAME conversations in his future leadership but that they are transformed conversations by the hard work we did.

To begin, you need to know who’s lands and territory where you live, work and play on. Find out here: www.native-land.ca. And once you know this, always acknowledge the First Nation and Treaty Nation lands and territories to provide and respect and honour them as the First Peoples of that area. A lot what forsaken, all against their will, to become the Nation we are today. We honour what was taken, sacrificed by the many generations of our ancestors, and continue to honour all the future generations of these Nations by acknowledging the privilege of all of this.

This is the beginning step in our journey of Reconciliation. It is definitely not the only thing. This is part of the many spaces we must hold along this journey. Knowing the truth of who was here before you and how your ancestors arrived to our lands is integral to your story and identity as a citizen to this country. So that you understand the unique nature of this relationship moving forward. Context sets the stage of the intentionality of our Reconciliation journey together. As this journey is not just a First Nations or Indigenous Peoples responsibility, it is for every single Canadian to take with the intention of having right relations with us. As our Title and Rights are protected under the constitution (Section 35) and as title and rights holder, I am her to protect it, uphold and use it and so is our son, our unborn grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on.

In short, Reconciliation is a journey of healing, being human, moving through trauma, forgiveness, truth, responsibility, accountability, love, uncomfortableness, learning, unlearning, decolonization, anti-racism, relationship, reciprocity and cultivating safe spaces for us to ensure this journey continues to be a priority in this country we call home.

So, my intention is these posts are to embrace this journey with love and light in our hearts and minds, for a future filled with values, hope and well-being for seven generations to come. My call to action, is continuing reading these posts, share them far and wide, goSiyam Consulting websiteand download my free MUST Resources, read my more of my stories, and purchase my corporate learning documents which takes deeper dives into all these spaces. Then look to decolonize your heart and mind by cultivating safe spaces in your institutions.