Before colonization, Two-Spirit people were included and respected as valued community members, often holding revered roles such as healers, matchmakers, and counsellors, among many others. We recognize the impacts of colonization on our Two Spirit and Queer Indigenous communities. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we are mindful of our present participation. We recognize that our work takes place on these traditional territories. Today, London and the surrounding area are subject to the Upper Canada treaties and specifically the Longwoods Treaty of 1822.
We also recognize the contributions of Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province and country as a whole. We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also acknowledge the Attawandaran (Neutral) peoples who once settled this region alongside the Algonquin and Haudenosaunee peoples, and used this land as their traditional beaver hunting grounds. The three First Nations communities closest in proximity to us are the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation (part of the Anishinaabe), Oneida Nation of the Thames (part of the Haudenosaunee), and the Munsee-Delaware Nation (part of the Lenape). The three current and long standing Indigenous groups of this geographic region are the Anishinaabek, the Haudenosaunee and the Lenape. Together, we will keep working for a world that was made for them-a world where every single person can live openly, genuinely, and safely in all of the communities we call home.Queer Events acknowledges with gratitude and respect, the longstanding relationships of the three local First Nations groups of this land and place, Deshkan Ziibiing also known as London, Ontario. Every single trans, gender diverse, and non-binary person in our communities deserves better. They deserved better than what the world gave them. We can hold compassion and space for their families and loved ones who lost their person. We remember them as not just names on a list, but as irreplaceable members of our community.īut even though their time in this world was cut short, we can hold gratitude for the ways they existed in this world. We let ourselves feel the outrage that lives deep in our chests-the righteous anger over this worsening epidemic that continues to get little to no attention in our own communities, let alone in the world more broadly.īelow you’ll find ways to commemorate today, and we hope that, no matter what you do, you take time to read about each and every person that has been taken from us this year. We grieve and we look for healing in the ways that feel right for each of us, whether reflecting in quiet solitude or in prayer, embracing our people, taking action in community, or simply through remembering. Today, we take intentional time to pause and think about the people we have lost-to remember the partners, siblings, parents, aunties, uncles, family members, friends, and loved ones that are no longer with us. Let us take a moment together to speak their names out loud, light a candle for them, and hold them in our hearts. These 46 people were loved and important members of our community who are no longer with us. We know there are many that go unreported, and others whose identities are not respected and honored after their deaths. And these are only the cases that we know about-the actual number is likely higher. The vast majority of these people have been Black and Latinx trans women, many of whom were sex workers. 2021 has been the deadliest year on record for trans and gender diverse people, with more than 46 reported murders so far.
Nearly every year I sit down to write this email to you about Trans Day of Remembrance, our community is mourning yet another year that was even more deadly than the last.ĭevastatingly, this year is no different.
0 kommentar(er)
