Glad to have listened in on this discussion--so much of what was covered aligns perfectly with my forthcoming book on these topics. I began this book years ago when I was a journalist covering Indigenous-led resistance to development by a ski resort held sacred to 13 regional tribes. I do believe the majority of settlers who recreate on Indigenous land--which is all of us on every acre of land in the US and Canada--want to do right by Indigenous communities, but don't know how. Answering that begins by listening to Indigenous people and starting from the assumption that one's love of skiing, trail running, climbing, paddling, etc. is never more important than Indigenous cultural and spiritual survival. Listen when they give guidelines for respectful interaction with their sacred spaces, listen when they say when to go and when not to go. Do not argue or demand an explanation if you don't get the answers you want--accept that there are cultural traditions, protocols, and belief systems connected to the land that are none of your business. Prepare for differences between what is "legal" and what Indigenous communities actually want. Stay humble. I understand that many folks and organizations want a check list or a universal process they can put on an infographic or something, but this not about trying to establish a set of dos and don'ts--it's about dignity, respect, and the process of making better relations with Indigenous communities and the landscapes we love. It demands that settlers and other nonIndigenous folks ask tough questions of themselves, which begins with conversations like this--and I would LOVE to see more of this, and be part of them, especially in the US.
How can recreation groups best work with First Nations and be allies in reconciliation? This is one of the main questions addressed in our most recent webinar, Reconciliation and recreation: Indigenous perspectives. We joined Roxanne Joe, the lands and resources project coordinator for the Líl’wat First Nation and Saya Masso, the land and resource manager for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation in a meaningful discussion on how outdoor recreationists can best show up as allies for the land and communities where they live and play. Read our new Future of Recreation article for the lessons that were shared. Future of Recreation - Reconciliation and recreation: https://lnkd.in/gZRh9cy9 Webinar recording: https://lnkd.in/gXBRfY3r
