At the Canada Strong and Free Conference, I delivered a land acknowledgment with theatrical reverence—and it earned a standing ovation. A critical reflection on performance, politics, and public ritual.
On Land Acknowledgments
Forgive Us Our Sins
How did someone write a reconciliation report and not have a chapter on forgiveness? In my experience, forgiveness is part of reconciliation. It might be acceptance of what happened, he shoplifted. I accept that. Or it might be a higher…
Who was invited?
On a recent road trip we visited the Revelstoke Railway Museum. It is almost as good as the Cranbrook Railway Museum.
As we entered the gift shop, we were confronted with a very post-modern Canadian sign. It set forth the usual acknowledgement to a local Indian tribe and noted, the land was ‘unceded,’ still owned by them. As usual, the casual affirmation that the Indians still owned the land, was legally and practically meaningless.
For some depressing reading
These articles by Tom Flanagan should be read, but they will not take you to a happy place, that is for sure.