Land Acknowledgement

Tree roots run deep into the soil

all connected and intertwined

they communicate through ancient incredible mycelia networks

to which the scientists are finally catching up

*********

the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) moved in as the delta was forming

9000 years ago

their actions, the trees, and nature

all in a symbiotic dance

each nurtured and affected by the other

*********

newcomers arrived

the ancients were ripped from their lands

shoved in a corner

told they were savages, backwards, and lesser humans

there was an ongoing multi-generational assault

attempting complete cultural extermination

*********

horrors inflicted remain untold

sparing the hearts of caring, receptive souls

even though inside we are raw

and my soul rots from the inside

*********

anger misdirected, people isolated

it was all too unbearable, never ending

day after day after day

*********

need to forget, to distract, to ignore

in any way possible

clouding the mind

avoiding loved ones

lashing out indiscriminately

at anything, anyone within reach

internal insanity

*********

eventually reaching for lifelines

some type of therapy, a good medicine

drumming & dancing = cultural regeneration

laughter and humour vital to our survival

building ourselves, and then bridging the chasm

to the hearts of our conquistadors

*********

learning, listening, receiving

then sharing

stories, culture, community, depth, and love

reminding others of paradise lost

*********

relearning just how amazingly relevant we all are

in this age of destruction, short-sightedness, and arrogance

this incessant comfort-seeking, media-distracted, squandering of lives

*********

there is a lack of meaning, a lack of insight, a complete lack of vision

slaves to their ancient European rules,

mindlessly engaging in their old—now outdated—ways,

at the complete expense of the actual world,

with all of its creatures, and our mutual survival

*********

we are getting back to our roots

so full of love, respect, and belonging

welcoming the world to know

who we are

strong, resilient, powerful, survivors

*********

As we live on the unyielding bones of countless generations of caretakers,

and the spirit of the natural world which they swore to protect,

we can feel the power of their ghosts,

though mostly unrecognizable,

a timeless part of these lands,

granite like, timeless, undefeatable, and impenetrable.

*********

It is still possible, if you truly pay attention,

within the deepest parts of yourself,

to be aware of an undeniable and unyielding energy of this

natural, healing, loving, embracing, beautiful, nourishing,

unyielding reality,

which is buzzing with life,

and which will never relinquish its power

to heal, nurture, and transform.

*********

So please pay attention, as if our very lives depend on it, and may we all be the richer for it.

*********

G̱ilakas'la