Land Acknowledgement

By a Canadian Immigrant

Before we talk about the experiences 
Of Muslim immigrant women here
There’s something that you must know
About this land of dreams 
A little history of Canada 
that likely came from Kanata
A beautiful village where you plan to grow

Although we know this place
As a land of Whites
Who speak English or French
With green eyes or blue
Who we thought of as only elite
And the first world belongs to them
Who are righteous and educated
Without any greed

But that is the twist, 
The truth that was never told
This Turtle Island belonged to the Indigenous
For whom this place was their own
The Whites were also once immigrants
Just like you and I
In search of peace and a better life
An immigrant reality well known

Here is what makes you different 
Than the Whites
Who came here before 
They captured the land 
The land of the Natives
Who never wanted it to be sold
For whom this land was priceless
More precious than gold
These migrants stole the Indigenous land 
And try to mould
Their identities, their lives
And every story they have ever told

Respect the people who host this land
As initially, you might learn differently about them 
But think twice before you judge them
They are the ones who have shared their home
Don’t be blinded by what you see
Know those who have traditions and 
Connections to their roots
Similar to what makes us WE
Who have welcomed all the guests
Have opened their hearts
Have shared their traditional territory
and given us a place to belong!!
                                                                                                                                    Khulood Agha Khan

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This art is inspired by the Turtle painting of Canadian Indigenous artist Jim Oskineegish- who uses the Ojibwe Woodland style.

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