Rooted in Respect: My Land Acknowledgement & Learning Journey

As a white settler and second-generation Canadian, I want to share something deeply important with you.

My work as a gardener, educator, and advocate for ecological living is built on land that is not mine. I live and grow on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples—stewards who have cared for this land for generations upon generations.

It’s only in recent years that I’ve truly begun to understand the depth and devastation of this country’s history. Like many Canadians, I was not taught about the atrocities of the residential school system, the cultural erasure, the systemic injustice that still exists today. It wasn’t in my textbooks. It wasn’t in the news. But now that I know—I cannot unknow.

The more I’ve learned, the more I’ve felt an overwhelming mixture of grief, rage, and responsibility. Responsibility to speak the truth. To honour the stories. To unlearn and relearn. And to never use Indigenous knowledge for profit or trend, but to uplift it with reverence.

Why This Matters in My Work

When I share practices such as the Three Sisters Garden—an Indigenous planting method that embodies cooperation, balance, and respect for nature—I do so not as an expert, but as a student. I do not claim this knowledge as my own. It has been generously shared through generations of oral history, lived experience, and deep cultural wisdom. My intention is to teach others about it, never over it. This is a small action, but it’s one that feels rooted in integrity.

What I’m Doing:

  • Continuing to learn about Indigenous history, food systems, and ecological knowledge

  • Donating a portion of profits from relevant product lines to Indigenous-led organizations

  • Collaborating with local Indigenous groups to build authentic partnerships

  • Incorporating land acknowledgements into my work and workshops

  • Encouraging others to learn with me—without guilt, but with openness and humility

How You Can Learn Too:

If you’re reading this and feeling unsure of what to do or where to start—welcome. You’re not alone. Here are some ways to begin:

In Gratitude

To the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of this land—I offer my deepest respect. May my hands work in service to the land you have protected. May my words echo the truths that were long silenced. May my work help grow not just plants, but a future rooted in justice.

Thank you for allowing me to learn. I am listening.

With humility,
Erin