with gratitude and deep reverence i acknowledge my ancestors, future descendants, my kin, the artists, activists, freedom fighters, mothers, elders, storytellers, knowledge keepers, leaders, healers, peacemakers, placemakers, the sun, the moon, the stars, the animal and plant nations, creators and all of creation.

i acknowledge and offer gratitude to the original caretakers/stewards of the lands and waters that i call home. the anishnaabeg, the haudenesaunee, and the missisaguas of credit river first nation.

though i was born here, i am still landing here. i am still rooting here, finding place here, and building home here.

my roots also stretch far to tamil lands, tamil eelam and tamil nadu, home of the people of the karthigai flower. a rising fist blooming into fingers of fire.

i wonder what it means to be akin with these lands and waters that i am connected to. i wonder what a commitment to sovereignty, freedom and self determination as well as liberation for all people across the lands look like? what it feels like?