I live in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq peoples, but my work also takes place in unceded Wolastoqiyik and Peskotomuhkati territory in New Brunswick.
This land and is covered under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. These are agreements negotiated between Indigenous peoples and the British Crown, and centre around peaceful coexistence.
The treaties were never about land surrender, as these territories were never empty nor free for the taking. The treaties pre-date Canada and were intended to be eternal; they are still valid and relevant today.
I continue to learn what this means and how I, as a settler, can honour the treaties and work to build a better relationship with Indigenous peoples.