Why Willow begins every workshop with this powerful ritual

The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning for many Indigenous peoples around the world. In Canada, June 21 is celebrated as National Indigenous Peoples Day. The longest day of the year symbolizes a new season of life, renewal, and connection to land and community.

While the U.S. observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on a different date (the second Monday in October), many Indigenous communities in the U.S. also recognize and celebrate the solstice and its ties to tradition and heritage.

With this day approaching, I want to share why we at Willow begin every workshop with a land acknowledgment—and why this small ritual carries so much meaning for me and for our work.

Land Holds Stories

Wherever you live, work, or play, you’re on land with a story.

Vancouver, Canada—where I live—is on the unceded and ancestral territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Unceded means that this land was never surrendered, relinquished, or handed over through treaty or agreement. These Nations have cared for these lands since time immemorial.

Acknowledging that truth at the beginning of a gathering is one way we show respect, name our shared history, and begin to repair broken relationships.

More Than a Formality

If you’ve ever heard a land acknowledgment that felt flat or formulaic, you’re not alone. It’s something many people worry about—including me.

Chelsea Vowel, a Métis writer and educator (the Métis are a distinct Indigenous people in Canada with both First Nations and European ancestry, and their own vibrant culture, language, and communities), addresses this in her powerful article, Revisiting Beyond Territorial Acknowledgments.

She writes:

“What makes a territorial acknowledgment meaningful is the speaker’s intention. If you recite it with no context or follow-up, it’s hollow. But when you commit to understanding the land you’re on and the people it belongs to, it becomes the beginning of a relationship.”

In other words, it’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about being present. About being willing to learn, to speak truth, and to step into relationship—even if you’re unsure of the perfect words.

A Personal Practice of Learning

Land acknowledgments are more common in some parts of the world than others, and in Canada, this practice is becoming a more visible part of public life. But wherever you are, it’s worth pausing to ask:

• Whose land am I on?
  
  
• What responsibilities come with being here?
  
  
• What does it mean to be a respectful guest?
  
  

If you’re curious to explore this more, I highly recommend Native Land Digital. This beautifully designed global map and resource site can help you learn about the Indigenous territories, languages, and treaties connected to your region. It’s a great first—or next—step on a journey of deepening awareness.

Why It Matters at Willow

At Willow, we talk a lot about making sense of life and death—and about what it means to live with clarity and connection. To do that, we have to be willing to look at the truths that shape our lives, even the uncomfortable ones.

Starting with a land acknowledgment is one way we do that. It’s not just a script—it’s a moment to root ourselves in respect, humility, and a much bigger story.

So wherever you are, I invite you to take a breath. Look around. Learn about the land you’re on. Get curious about its history. And consider how you might honour it in your own life and work—not just on June 21, but every day.