In Solidarity

Paperhouse Studio would like to acknowledge the land on which we operate. It has been a site of human activity for 15,000 years and is on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, and the Huron-Wendat. We wish to acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land, traditional territory of Tkaronto, meaning “where there are trees standing in water”. The territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of Tkaronto is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in the community, on this territory.

We would also like to pay our respects to the Elders, past and present, as well as the ancestors of all us who have gathered here.

We do not support colonial forces that undermine, distort, or erase the vital role of Indigenous people in our world.

We also acknowledge that the above statement is only the first step of what needs to be a much larger dialogue. We understand that while such statements are important, our ongoing actions are vital. Paperhouse Studio is therefore committed to continuously unlearning our colonial history, to work and live in solidarity with, to support, to listen, and to learn from, the rich histories and contemporary voices of Indigenous peoples. We are open to feedback and suggestions, and encourage you to share them with us.

[Source] Adapted from statement collaboration by Mahlikah Awe:ri Enml’ga’t Saqama’sgw (Walking Woman), a Haudenosaunee Mohawk/Mi’kmaw First Nations TAC Cultural Leaders Lab Fellow, Michael Erickson and Michael Lyons, prepared for the Naked Heart: The LGBTQ Festival of Words.