During our time in Canada, we were grateful to be travelling across a diverse number of First Nations' traditional territories. We want to acknowledge these First Peoples – past, present and future – as the original stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial. As visitors, we honour the land, water, and all animate and inanimate beings, and the continuous work of Indigenous peoples in protecting them.
Canada 2023, Land Acknowledgement
29.08.23
2 min read
Written By Finisterre
Our journey commenced in Vancouver, on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
We continued onwards to Vancouver Island and the lands of the SC'IA⁄NEW (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke (Sooke) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Nations. We acknowledge their continued stewardship, care and leadership on these lands and waters.
Whilst in the areas known as Tofino and Ucluelet, our team spent time on the traditional territories of the the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Yuu-cluth-aht) Nations of the nuučaan̓uuɫɁatḥ (Nuu-chah-nulth peoples), who have been guardians of their lands and waters since time immemorial.
It is important that we, as primarily Europeans, or descendents of European settlers, acknowledge that the Surf and Outdoor industries have largely excluded First Nations peoples from these activities – which are carried out on, and benefit from, their traditional territories. We were committed to building relationships, and visiting these lands with open minds and a desire to learn, to unlearn, and to leave as better allies.
We are incredibly grateful to have been able to start building relationships during our time in the Pacific Northwest. We acknowledge the First Peoples of these homelands as the original stewards, and their continued work in protecting them.
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