Putting Reconciliation Into Action
By Penny Bradley, Executive Director Alex House
Not everything that is beautiful starts out that way. Our Reconciliation journey with Semiahmoo First Nation started with a misstep, which resulted from not understanding the traditional protocols of the people whose land we have operated on and occupied for over 100 years.
On September 21, 2024 we had the opportunity to apologize for past wrongs, hosting Semiahmoo First Nation, and the Semiahma People in a Coast Salish Ceremony.
With the support of Roxanne Charles, a Semiahmoo Artist and Activist, we had the opportunity to learn how to approach the Apology Ceremony in a good way, from the traditionally woven blankets made by Deanna Lewis Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw to understanding the significance of asking permission to come onto the territory of Semiahmoo First Nation.
As Chief Chappell, Semiahmoo First Nation, shared with us (Liz Lougheed Green, CEO, ANHBC and Penny Bradley, ED, Alex House) when we first met with him - this work starts with a conversation.
Throughout the ceremony Swo-Wo Gabriel (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), the Speaker, talked about being family, recognizing the opportunity to come together, to heal relationships. He also shared that the ceremony was not just about the people - it is about taking care of the land - ‘Our witnesses here today: the trees, the grass, the bay’.
The ceremony was a meaningful step forward, marking the beginning of our intentional work together with Semiahmoo First Nation.
We are grateful to the Elders who were honoured, Chief Chappell, Councillor Charles, and Councillor Cook, and the Semiahma community who has opened their hearts and minds to Alex House over the past year and half.
And thank you to Roxanne Charles, and her family, who leaned into trusting us before were able to show them who we aspired to be. We are forever grateful.
As our teacher, and friend Ta7talíya Nahanee - Nahanee Creative, shared when she spoke as a witness at the ceremony 'All of the work and unlearning over the last 4 years, has led to today.'
With the signing of our shared commitments, we are ready to begin our work together.
Today we are walking together, building trusting relationships through our actions. We are inviting the Semiahma people onto their land, the land that we have occupied for over 100 years, sharing space in an effort to create a sense of place. For future generations we are exploring how we can activate Land Back through shared stewardship, learning from Semiahmoo First Nation what Land means to them, and how we can come alongside. This work is generational, we are planting seeds today, trusting time and intention will allow them to grow.
The journey is beautiful.
