Land Acknowledgement
Oki… Umba wastitch… Danit’ada…. Taanishi.. and Hello!
(“Hello” in the traditional Indigenous languages of Quest Theatre’s homeland)
Spanning generations, acknowledgement of the land is a traditional custom of Indigenous people when welcoming outsiders onto their land and into their homes.
To build respectful relationships, acknowledging the land is a foundational protocol for reconciliation to begin to occur. It honours the authentic history of these lands, its original people and begins to tell the story of the creation of this country that has historically been intentionally omitted.
It is in that spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge the territory and oral practices of the Indigenous people of Treaty 7, which includes the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Iyarhe Nakoda (Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney) and Tsuut’ina nations. We also acknowledge that this territory is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 & 6.
Being permitted to work, play and reside on this sacred gathering place known as Moh’kinsstis, which today we also refer to as the City of Calgary, provides us with an opportunity to engage in and demonstrate leadership on reconciliation.
It is all of our responsibility and duty to do so.
Take your own first steps in doing so by reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action.
Other resources can be found here:
“We Are All Treaty People”
Information on Quest Theatre’s co-production with Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society about the history of the land and its peoples in Southern Alberta can be found here.