Of Land and Layers

Land Acknowledgement

🪶 This poem is written in gratitude and humility on the traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples — the original stewards of this land we now call Canada.

I acknowledge that I live and write on the Treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples.

This acknowledgement is not the end of a sentence, but the beginning of a deeper conversation.

I honour the stories, languages, and laws that have long existed on this land — and recognize that celebration without remembrance is incomplete.

May this space hold not only words, but learning. Not only voice, but listening.

In many tongues, we share this home. Let us care for it, and for each other, with the respect it deserves.

A land so cold and far away,
Language, people, unknown ways.
Along came the searching wanderers and —
Oh Canada, you are a beautiful land.

The struggles that followed,
Broken treaties swallowed,
Unmarked and unknown land of grave —
Oh Canada, you are the truth we must save.

The apology, the acceptance, the embrace,

The healing truth of our shared space.

Protecting the land, the Eagle flies high —

Oh Canada, I know sometimes your heart just cries.

You are the beaver; Cedar's wisdom helps you grow.

The drumbeats raise the maple, even if it's slow

I came to you with just my name —

Oh Canada, you shared with me your flame.

The blue, green and purple in the sky

Glistens the snow and makes me defy

All the logic of what has been said —

Oh Canada, how do you keep your white while you bleed red?

A history so long with many a wrong,

In your silence I hear the anthem of hope — strong.

You don't speak in noise, but in rivers and pine —

Oh Canada, the world knows there is no country so kind.

The snowy fields building many dreams,

From broken roots and internal, external screams.

We rise together to build a better today, not just a dream.

Oh Canada, you have my heart and soul- now, and tomorrow.

I share this with respect for the Indigenous Peoples who have cared for this land long before it was called Canada.

May this poem be part of a broader conversation — one of gratitude, truth, and continuing care

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