Land Acknowledgement

The Works International Visual Arts Society respectfully acknowledges that we are located in amiskwacîwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, on Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 4. This is the ancestral and traditional territory of the Cree, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, Tsuut’ina, Dene, Saulteaux and Métis, whose histories, languages and cultures continue to cultivate and influence this land and our communities.

Our Festival site, Sir Winston Churchill Square, is located on the territory of the Cree, Michif Piyii (Métis), Tsuut'ina, and Nêhiyaw-Askiy ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐊᐢᑭᕀ (Plains Cree) and Niitsítpiis-stahkoii ᖹᐟᒧᐧᐨᑯᐧ ᓴᐦᖾᐟ (Blackfoot/Niitsítapi ᖹᐟᒧᐧᒣᑯ).

Our office and gallery is located on the territory of the Woodland Cree, Cree, Michif Piyii (Métis), Tsuut'ina, and Nêhiyaw-Askiy ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᐊᐢᑭᕀ (Plains Cree), which overlaps with the neighborhood also known as Boyle-McCauley. (via native-land.ca)

The Works recognizes that upholding mutual respect between Indigenous nations and settlers is an ongoing process which includes recognizing and uplifting Indigenous cultural self-determination. As historical arbiters of cultural legitimization, settler art institutions have a responsibility to address the harmful legacies of colonialism which we inherit and uphold. These calls must inform our actions and outputs.

The Works has the privilege to exist in virtual spaces, such as this website and social media platforms. Our online presence is contingent on land and resources—as our data is stored in servers across the world, and our technology and networks rely on metals such as gold, lithium, cobalt and cesium. We actively strive to make space across online platforms and to celebrate and amplify Indigenous voices through sharing and promoting Indigenous content.