Hi all!
Further to my email response, I thought some of you might be interested in checking the UVic Astronomy Research Centre’s (ARC) Land Acknowledgement that Kim shared.
It is simple, to the point, and interesting to note what gets signalled to readers within so few words. For those interested in checking ARC’s statement out, I invite you to think about:
-who is centred in ARC’s Land Acknowledgment, and
-how they weave specific responsibilities into it without eclipsing (pun totally intended;)) the point of acknowledging land (and sky, in their case). As ARC reminds us:
A territory or land acknowledgement is a small but essential act of reconciliation. It is a formal statement, often given at the beginning of ceremonies and events, which acknowledges and respects Indigenous Peoples as the traditional and enduring stewards of this land. A land acknowledgement should encourage non-Indigenous individuals to ask questions, learn more about the history of the land, and to reconsider their relationship to the land.
I’m curious about their decision to not be more specific, in terms of naming Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples…perhaps because the sites within which they work span multiple terrestrial and cosmic territories? This reminds me of the specificity required to make such statements meaningful beyond ‘checking a box’, for those who write them. What would make your centre’s Land Acknowledgment meaningful for you?
At best, these statemements are imperfect and constantly evolving. They are also necessary part of an ongoing process that requires us to take our professional – and personal – responsibilities seriously in micro-moments of everyday practice with children and families on these lands. For me, this is also a reminder of the importance, as Dr. Rob Hancock told us at a previous Pro-D day, of avoiding getting stuck or paralyzed in guilt (which is useless). While the process of writing one requires slow, thoughtful consideration, we also need to avoid an impulse to make it ‘perfect’ because there is no such thing:).
Looking forward to reading your draft land acknowledgements and working with you to get them up in your centres soon!
Best, Narda
The phrasing is as vast and inclusive as it is to be with the whole sky, which in my limited knowledge of astronomy is measured in both time and distance, the stars that shine on us is from so far away that it is from a time long ago) with the scientific labs and telescopes are planted/based on earth. The acknowledgement allows the science that indigenous people have long known and used to be with and be connected with the sky, for both guidance spiritually and for in practical life orientation, direction seasons and were woven into life by oral storytelling generation after generation, connecting the astral world to the physical world.
Thank you Johanna – I cannot recommend Wilfred Buck’s video enough (will add link to his video, if I haven’t already done so). Your thoughtful comment on “stars that shine on us from so far away”, with connections here on earth also reminded me of Natasha Myers’ “Step 4 | Name our Most Powerful Ally (from How to Grow Liveable Worlds):
We think plants can’t move, but they reach out across the cosmos, drawing the energy of the sun into their tissues so that they can work their terrestrial magic. Pulling matter out of thin air, plants must be understood as world-making conjurers. They teach us the most nuanced lessons about matter and mattering.
Wilfred Buck: Cree Legend of the Star People: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.3404346