Relationship With Land: Reflection
When I think of ‘land’, I think of any Canadian territories owned by Indigenous peoples that
allow Canadian citizens to live and grow. Canada continues to reconcile and acknowledge their history
regarding residential schools and the atrocities that were committed in those institutions; however, the
healing process is not a steady one, and many Indigenous children had major aspects of their culture and
individuality either taken from them or taught to be viewed as something to be ashamed of. This
irreversible loss and the process of healing from it are what inspired me to create a short 1-minute
movement piece reflecting on the truth of Canadian history.
I was conscious of the song I selected, which is called ‘Lose Anything’ by Rachel Chinouriri. The
The lyrics and emotional tone of this song present direct themes of losing one's youth, uncertainty for the
future, and healing from trauma. My movement piece is heavily focused on the song's lyrics, some of my
movements slower and looser to demonstrate the feeling of uncertainty and helplessness that residential
school victims experienced, and some moments with more precision and stillness to encapsulate the
inability to reverse the damage caused; it cannot be reversed, but the relationship can be slowly healed
over time. Dance is a significant aspect of indigenous culture, and, paired with my personal passion for
the art, I found that dance was the way I could best express my connection to the Indigenous land where I
was born and raised, and able to cultivate my craft. As well as how proper education and accountability
can create a different perspective for those who have been exposed to it.