Elder teachings

Reflection by Susie McPherson-Derendy

Acknowledgment and Declaration

“It says, after a prayer in my Cree language, that I want to acknowledge the ancestral territory of the Indigenous Nations who were and are here on these lands. The 600 plus Indigenous Nations who were here across Canada prior to European contact, unique and distinct societies who had their own languages and systems of governance, who knew the land, the water, the skies, and the patterns of weather and animals, who looked after themselves, each other, their communities and their nations, and who saw themselves as a part of creation, and lived as such, always mindful of the generations to come.

So, we look to the east, the south, the west, and the north, and we acknowledge the Indigenous Nations across the land and their ancestral story, truth, and wisdom that has carried them over time to this day. We acknowledge how the story unfolded. We turn full circle to the east and acknowledge all the nations who now call this land home: those who came as visitors, guests, settlers, immigrants, newcomers, refugees we acknowledge their story too and all that they brought here and we are mindful of each and every one of our stories and the connection to the Indigenous world views story that was happening here.

I go on to give thanks for each person, all we hold and carry, the story of our lives and the journey we have been on. I give thanks for the opportunity to gather and learn from each other. I end with ekosani, ninanaskomon, kahkino nih wahkomakanak (thank you, I am grateful, all my relations).

Then, I sing a welcome song which is sung to welcome a new day, the spirit of each of the directions (7) east, south, west, north, above, below and within. This song grounds and centres us to this time together. I also sing it to welcome the spirit of what any one of us needs at this time, whether it is the spirit of hope, love, courage, wisdom, learning and unlearning, reconciliation and comfort (for the grief we carry). I end with the song and my drum and for the last direction within, I sing without the drum.

This is a daily acknowledgement and declaration for me personally, and helps me stand in my own truth and live into the strength and story of my people and my ancestors.”