“Taking leadership means being humble and honouring front-line voices of resistance as well as offering tangible solidarity as needed and requested. Specifically, this translates to taking initiative for self-education about the specific histories of the lands we reside upon, organizing support with the clear consent and guidance of an Indigenous community or group, building long-term relationships of accountability and never assuming or taking for granted the personal and political trust that non-natives may earn from Indigenous peoples over time.”
– Harsha Walia, Decolonizing Together
What gratitudes do you want to share with the Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the lands you reside on?
Imagine what the lands that you live on looked like before. What would this place have looked like 10, 50, 500, 5000 years ago? What happened to lead to today? What can it look like it 10, 50, 100 years? What can you do to bring it closer to that vision?
Research the Indigenous communities whose ancestral territories you currently reside on. What is their cultural story? Who are the people? What impact did colonization have?
Research calls to action in your community. Are there specific events, initiatives, campaigns, or groups that you can learn more about and support?
Initiate conversations with your social network. Invite your peers to reflect on the legacy of colonialism in your community.