I gratefully acknowledge that this blog is written on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak (Cree), Anisininew (Oji-Cree), Dakota Oyate, and Dene peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

I recognize that these lands were not freely given, and that the path to Treaty 1 was shaped by displacement, broken promises, and ongoing harms that continue to affect Indigenous communities today. The legacies of colonialism have created profound inequities, barriers, and intergenerational challenges that are still felt across these Nations.

With humility, I acknowledge both this history and my responsibility within it. I am committed to listening, learning, and moving forward in a good way—seeking to foster inclusion, respect, and understanding in this space. May this platform contribute, in however small a measure, to truth, accountability, and meaningful reconciliation.