LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Positive Space Consulting (PSC) is a mental health care practice devoted to supporting the development of a society that thrives through including, valuing and celebrating the inherent uniqueness in all of us. It is also our mission to foster a deeper connection to self and to the world around us. PSC is a team of practitioners who identify as settlers and who live on Turtle Island. 

The intention of this Land Acknowledgement here on our virtual space is to further accentuate and make clear our deep commitment and support of the reconciliation of our colonial past with all Indigenous communities and people that this land was historically home to. This involves the dedication to continually engage in the work of unpacking the harmful ways in which Social Workers and Psychotherapists have historically engaged with Indigenous communities. As mental health practitioners we are trained through a colonial and white supremacist lens, and PSC is dedicated to the on-going work of decolonizing minds, policies, work culture, therapeutic space, and the concept of ‘wellness’ as a whole. As a team we are dedicated to calling each other in for dialogue and opportunities for de-centering colonialism from our work and our lives and welcome the discomfort that comes with understanding the various ways our social locations and identities have caused harm and continue to do so. 

Positive Space Consulting recognizes that its practice and the contributions of its family of practitioners take place on traditional Indigenous territories across Ontario.  We recognize the 46 treaties and other agreements that cover this territory now called Ontario. Today, the province of Ontario is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Each nation is unique in their world views, language and histories, and we gather here in the spirit of openness, with a commitment to continue to recognize and reflect upon the important work ahead. We are committed to advocating for all of the requests by Indigenous people of this land to be granted immediately by our government. We ask you to join us in honouring this history and in moving forward in partnership and collaboration as we learn and unlearn together.

Everyone at PSC is grateful and honours the fact that we contribute, work and live in this territory. We would like to acknowledge the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people who have been the custodians of this land as their ancestors were and who continually respect and contribute to the sustainability of Ontario and to all its communities across this province. PSC is honoured and committed to collaborating with Indigenous clients, practitioners, and communities throughout the province of Ontario and Canada.

We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.   

We believe it’s of the utmost importance to recognize Two-Spirit, Queer and Trans Indigenous folx in Mohkinstsis that are disproportionately impacted by racism, homophobia, and transphobia, are also the people who do a disproportionate amount of advocacy and activism work in our city, province, country, and world that allow other people from the Queer community to thrive.

Here at PSC we are devoted to working only with therapists who are committed to the continual understanding through education, exploration and engagement with indigenous history, reconciliation and the impacts of colonialism. We as a practice are committed to supporting the mental health of indigenous practitioners and indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ folx accessing our services.