Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Anishinaabeg Algonquin people on whose land we operate. We are a non-Indigenous-led arts organization receiving funding from the Canadian government that ongoingly perpetuates anti-Indigenous racism and colonialism through denying clean drinking water, over-policing and incarceration, and many other systemic ways. We need to remain mindful of our privilege, continue to explore ways to meaningfully support Indigenous artists, and strive to advance decolonization in our work.
Debaser and Pique is based in the former Ottawa Courthouse, and Debaser started in the former Ottawa jail next door. The Canadian carceral state in which these sites have historically been a key location ongoingly discriminates against Indigenous and Black people in Canada, with Indigenous and Black inmates highly overrepresented in Canadian prisons to this day, and facing over-policing, stereotyping and systemic racism throughout the justice system. We acknowledge the dark history and violent connotations of these buildings particularly for Indigenous and Black community members and women, and also wish to express respect and gratitude to the artists who reclaim this space and fill it with art and performance that have the potential to transform and educate.
Educational Resources
Algonquin Anishinaabe Land Acknowledgement by Dr. Lynn Gehl, Ph.D., an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley
Beyond territorial acknowledgements by âpihtawikosisân
Native Land - a resource for North Americans (and others) to find out more about local Indigenous territories and languages.
We Are All Treaty People by Treaty Education Nova Scotia
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - Reports
Support
Calls to Action
If we are missing a current call to action, please let us know.
Support the land defenders at the Fairy Creek Blockade
The Rainforest Flying Squad is a volunteer driven, grassroots, non-violent direct action movement committed to protecting the last stands of globally significant ancient temperate rainforest on Vancouver Island.
Petition: No archeological digs in Kanehsatà:ke
Support the Rotinonhseshá:ka of Kanehsatà:ke in their resistance to the proposed archeological digs by the Municipalité d’Oka and Mayor Pascal Quevillon’s proposed construction of a new Parrish Hall/Cultural Center for the Municipalité d’Oka.
Petition to Defund Trans Mountain Pipeline
Call on the government to defund the multi-billion dollar Trans Mountain pipeline and invest in a made-in-Canada Green New Deal.
Protect the Moose in La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve
Facebook page with updates
Sign the petition
To donate, e-transfer to moosemoratorium@gmail.com with the password ‘mooseknuckle’
Wet’suwet’en Supporter Toolkit 2020
Ways to support Mi’kmaq treaty rights and livelihood fisheries
Donate
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. Their mission is to provide physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual growth, development, and healing through culturally-based values and guiding principles for Survivors, Families, and Communities.
Tiny House Warriors
The Tiny House Warriors: Our Land is Home is a part of a mission to stop the Trans Mountain pipeline from crossing unceded Secwepemc Territory. Ten tiny houses will be built and placed strategically along the 518 km Trans Mountain pipeline route to assert Secwepemc Law and jurisdiction and block access to this pipeline. The pipeline is one of the most serious threats to our Territories.
Native Women’s Association of Canada
The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit.
50/50 Performing Arts Collective
The 50/50 Performing Arts Collective was formed to produce Indigenous arts events and grow audiences for Indigenous performing artists. We do this by showcasing a mix of emerging to the top Indigenous artists to audiences both online and at live events.
Asinabka Film & Media Arts Festival
The mandate of the Asinabka Festival is to present an annual Indigenous film and media arts festival in the Nations Capital that allows independent artists - national, international, Indigenous, non-Indigenous - to share, present, and disseminate their work.
Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
Primary Colours
Primary Colours/Couleurs primaires is a national, bilingual, intergenerational three-year initiative which questions the Eurocentric perspective of art in Canada and instead places Indigenous art at the centre of the Canadian art system.
Legacy of Hope Foundation
The Legacy of Hope Foundation is an Indigenous-led, charitable organization with the goal of educating and raising awareness about the history and ongoing impacts of the Residential School System.
Minwaashin Lodge
An Indigenous Women's Support Centre. Minwaashin Lodge provides a range of programs and services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children (regardless of status) who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, and who may also be suffering the effects of the residential school system.
Odawa Native Friendship Centre
A non-profit organization providing services to Ottawa's Aboriginal Community.
Much of this list was compiled thanks to the resources and calls to action shared by Indigenous Solidarity Ottawa, to whom we are very grateful.