We All Go Back to the Land by Suzanne Keeptwo

Since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Report in 2015, Land or Territorial Acknowledgments have been sweeping the nation. Academic conferences, government press conferences, cultural events, and even hockey games now often begin with an acknowledgment of the Original Peoples of the lands they are situated upon.  Initially, Land Acknowledgments may have made an impact as most Canadians didn’t know which Indigenous Land base their suburb or city or town was built upon, but most acknowledgements now have a standardized, token feel to them.

Suzanne Keeptwo, an Indigenous artist and educator, wants to reinvigorate the Land Acknowledgement as a way for Original Peoples to celebrate and honor their ancestors’ relationship to the Land. Indigenous Codes of Ethics in place at the point of European contact informs this foundational guide for contemporary Land Acknowledgments. Examining Principles of Sharing, Gift Exchange, Customs of the Trade, Host and Guest protocols and differing worldviews provide insight into our current relationship with the Land, whether it's political, environmental or commercial. Suzanne also delves into the sensitivities of identity politics, self-identification protocols, traditional leadership and how to uphold our Original Agreement with the Land.