My herbalism practice is place specific, based on this land. This place, Tiohtià:ke (a.k.a Montreal), is within the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka, and has been used by many Indigenous nations. These lands and waters continue to serve as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations and more recent immigrants, including myself. I recognize and respect the Kanien’kehá:ka as the custodians of these lands and waters on which I live. Gratitude.
I believe, also, that it is not enough just to acknowledge the keepers of this land. I encourage everyone to learn how colonialism is perpetuated in their own lives and communities, keeping us caught in the very systems of oppression that make us sick. The diverse forms that resistance can take to the dispossession of Indigenous lands and bodies is part of the healing journey for settlers and Indigenous peoples alike.