Land Acknowledgement and Reconciliation Statement 

NS Ask Project Land Acknowledgement and Reconciliation Statement 

We begin by acknowledging that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, and Passamaquoddy People first signed with the British Crown in 1726. 

Safe and happy learning environments in school are a right for ALL students, not a privilege for some. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples state this clearly. 

The negative impacts of the residential school system across generations and across Canada stand as a stark reminder of the injustices of the education systems in this country and serve as a call to action. 

The NS ASK Project acknowledges that our practices and methods are founded in colonial ways of knowing and thinking about physical activity, learning and play. 

The NS ASK Project endeavors to work in open and authentic collaboration with Mi’kmaq communities to build relationships built on reciprocity, safety, and trust.

Part of what the NS ASK Project can contribute to the process of reconciliation is sharing the skill sets and methods that we have developed over the past 3 years. If desired, we will work together with Mi’kmaq communities to co-create a physically active learning methodology that honours and incorporates the wisdom and experience of Mi’kmaq ways of learning and playing. In doing so, we seek to help co-create healthy, playful and engaged learning opportunities that are culturally safe and appropriate for ALL learners. If not, we will seek other ways to contribute. 

Our work is guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 10th Call to Action in the domain of Education.

Working towards reconciliation in this country is an immense task. But perhaps, as Treaty People, if we all take small, effective steps in the right direction, we can collectively begin to move the dial. 

Everyone here, as collaborators with the NS ASK Project are invited to participate in this important work. 

To read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, click here.