Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

I acknowledge…

I acknowledge that the land on which [Zola Handmade Goods] operates is the unceded territory from the Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) and Anishinanewaki people. Language spoken: Nipissing-Algonquin.

I acknowledge and respect the ongoing efforts Indigenous people are enduring today to protect their lands and their rights and their people. The current protectors: Wet’suwet’en Territory, Secwépemc Territory, 1492 Landback Lane, Algonquin Territory, Kanehsatà:ke, Mi’kma’ki, and many others.

I acknowledge the challenges Indigenous people have faced and do face on a daily basis.

I acknowledge the following past events: the mass cultural genocide on Indigenous people that took place across North America, residential schools, the 60’s scoop, colonization of Indigenous people, broken treaties, and other injustices.

I acknowledge the following current Indigenous injustices: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children, the corrupt foster care system, increased suicide rates on reserves, unsafe drinking water in the reserves, the breaking of treaties, and other ongoing injustices.

I acknowledge the hardships that my Indigenous friends and acquaintances, new and old, close and far, have experienced and are experiencing every day. As well as my children’s Aunt and Uncle’s suffering, as well as their ancestors, suffering.

I acknowledge I am a white privileged Mother, who benefits from the stolen land on which I operate my small business and the colonized system that allows me rights and privileges granted to me by an unjust system of oppression.

I pledge to do my part to the best of my ability, to never turn down an opportunity to help, to keep myself educated on current Indigenous people events, and to raise awareness when I can. I am committed to the ongoing process of unlearning the false things I have been taught about what happened to Indigenous people.

I pledge to raise my children differently and to ensure they instill anti-racism and are not an enabler of systemic racism. I will teach them the truth of North America’s history and ensure that they help protect Indigenous people and help give back their land.

I promise to take action effective immediately. 10% of [Zola Handmade Goods] online sales will be donated to the NWAC - Native Women’s Association of Canada.

I encourage Y O U //to take action// N O W! Donate, read, listen, learn, absorb, analyze, challenge, and decolonize.