Acknowledgement to the land Sacred Saturdaze cherishes and gives thanks to.
There is no denying the magic, the beauty and EPIC nature that is Northern Minnesota. We have found a tiny hidden paradise here and it has completely hypnotized us.
The North Shore of Lake Superior. Lady Superior is Andre 3000 ICE COLD fierce. She is deep blues and clear greens. Her magnetic waves are dangerously powerful. Raw crystals of agate and quartz run along her shores. High cliff ridges of endless hiking trails and deep lush green forests. But this is not my land.
The Boundary Waters. We haven’t even had the chance to do an outfitters’ trip, but we are surrounded by the wild wilderness, like for real – WILD WILDERNESS. AKA I hear wolves during the full moon howling, and see them stroll down our street. We have a neighborhood Fox that visits us on occasion. There is one black bear for every square mile here. AND The boundary waters just became a qualified dark zone – no light pollution. The barely inhabited lakes are raw and unapologetically all nat-ur-raaal. Good omens of bald eagles are constant. And the stars. OHHHHHHH the stars & cosmos will leave you starstruck. LITERALLY. STAR-STRUCK. But.. again, my love…But this is not my land.
It would be completely FUCKED if I didn’t acknowledge the true keepers of this land – The Ashinashaabe (ah-NISH-ih-NAH-bae) People. My space for creativity, my nature oasis, my sacred space where I call my northern basecamp is on unceded, stolen land of the Ojibwe Tribe, currently called Ely, Minnesota. Presently, the closest tribe to the land I occupy is the Zagaakwaandagowininiwag / Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. https://boisforte.com
Ashinashaabe meaning ‘original people’, encompass 9 tribes: Ojibwe, Chippewa, Ottawa, Patawatomi, Saulteaux, Nipissing, Mississawga, Oji-Cree & Meti that spanned across northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and southern Canada.
Originally from the Atlantic coast, the Ashinashaabe believed in a prophecy that was closely tied to their harvesting of wild rice and slowly migrated west to the land where food grows on water. This origin is such a striking story to convey the beauty of Minnesota, the ‘State of 10,000 Lakes’.
All my years on this planet, so many nuances and bits of Indigenous Cultures resonated throughout my growth. My beside dreamcatcher as a kid, braiding my wild hair, canoeing as a teen, my expanding relationship to nature and its' divine energy of Pachamama, participating in ceremonies, SMOKING HERB BB. It all aligns with the ways of the original people.
HOW could I have not honored those who came before me.
WHY would I not honor and respect this culture?
WHY would I not investigate their history - our history.
SEE how my white supremacy plays in appropriation ::CHECK that white fragility for a moment….Get over yourself...This is apart of the great unlearning and reckoning we must continue.
This is just the beginning. I’m sharing what stolen land I am currently occupying and giving tribute to the Original People of this land.
With a little bit of effort, you can find out who were the original people of the land you occupy, learn more about their history, culture and the present footprint within the community AND by owning up to your white supremacy by paying reparations and help heal from our broken history.
Step 1: https://native-land.ca Research where you live and see who's land your occupying
Step 2: With the help of Google you can check your state government website, like Minnesota's https://mn.gov/indianaffairs/ to see which reservations you can support or search through the Bureau of Indian Affairs: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/29/2021-01606/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of
Step 3: Reach out directly. There was no 'donate now!' button on the local tribe's website so I emailed them directly in order to speak with someone to make sure the reparations/donation go directly back to the programs & services that support the community. I asked if there's a way to set up a monthly donation (like paying rent!), to make sure my actions are sustainable.
We honor, respect and acknowledge the indigenous occupants of this land.
xx
Sacred Saturdaze
댓글