Land Acknowledgement

As settlers on this land, the HSS would like to acknowledge the grounds on which we are privileged to gather in the pursuit of higher education. Queen’s University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory. Today, this land continues to be the home of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples, a significant Metis community, as well as First Peoples from other Nations across Turtle Island. This land was colonized through the Crawford Purchase deed in 1783, which consists of a vague claim with no official record or reports regarding the discussion between the Indigenous Peoples and British settlers. In return for the land, the communities received clothes, ammunition, and other supplies for hunting, all of which is a disproportionate outcome to the cultural genocide conducted by the Crown.

As Health Science students, we feel it is especially important to highlight the knowledge and practice of medicines that were once a natural part of everyone’s learning in the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee communities, but has been largely erased like many other traditions following colonization. Past and present colonial structures have further led to health disparities in Indigenous communities, perpetuating systemic issues that have harmful effects on health and wellbeing. 

As future workers in healthcare, it is our duty to shift away from solely interpretations of oppression, and instead choose to empower communities by learning about traditional healing practices and integrating this towards culturally safe healthcare practices. Below is our monthly spotlight of resources regarding indigeneity in healthcare, from scholarly articles about culturally-aware knowledge translation to short documentaries of communities healing from within. We urge you to take the time to look through these resources to learn more and understand what reconciliation looks like in healthcare, ultimately using your privilege to hold healthcare spaces accountable. 

If you’re interested in looking at more, please click on this link to access our entire list of resources!