Punjabi Market is located on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) that were stolen through the colonization of Turtle Island and genocide of Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island by European invaders—a colonization that is ongoing and happening now.
Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, a “strong, growing community of over 1,300 members” have been alive and well on their territory “as long as there has been land to live upon.” As of now, many xʷməθkʷəy̓əm “live on a small portion of [their] traditional territory” which is located on what is currently called Marine Drive, “near the mouth of the Fraser River”. Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm continue to “move through [their] territory, using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering.”
It is not only vital to any community project, but to any work on the stolen land of Indigenous Nations, to give back in useful ways to the lands they are uninvited guests on. Land acknowledgements have been used as a tool to accredit folks for having ticked off the “Indigenous recognition” on their imaginary list of what-to-do according to their institution’s Diversity & Inclusion policies. Doing a land acknowledgement and then disregarding Indigeneity is taking from the territory and its people because it is self-serving.
The truth is, this land was colonized, and we come from a culture that was also colonized. We do not have all the answers or claim to know everything. What we are doing is taking the time, energy, and space to learn about the ongoing colonization of the territory we reside on, feeling and bringing up the pain of our ancestors, and trying our best to re-wire our bodies and minds.
#landback #wetsuwetenstrong