I respectfully acknowledge that I live and work on Treaty Six territory, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
amiskwaciywâskahikan is the traditional gathering place of the many indigenous peoples whose histories, languages and cultures are part of our community.
I acknowledge that the traditions of meeting and sharing at this place, and caring for this land for the purpose of art, livelihood, and spirituality, originated with the indigenous people.
I honour and respect my role as a participant in Treaty Six and reaffirm my responsibilities as a Treaty Six person.
You may be signing in to my website from other parts of the world. Some of you are on land that is part of a Treaty, others are on unceded territory, and some are included in modern land agreements and purchases.
Please take a moment to reflect on your relationship with the land in your region and its original inhabitants.
Personally, I did not have an opportunity to grow up with a strong relationship to the land. As the child of a nomadic military family who were in turn descendants of refugees, my history was one of constant relocation. I am grateful to have finally found a welcoming place to develop personal and artistic roots, and to connect with family and community, both in this place and in our global Suzuki movement.
It is my hope that we can all play a role in making sure that there is room for everyone in our musical community, and welcome people of all ages, genders, races, cultural, and economic backgrounds to participate in our programs. In the words of Dr. Suzuki, “I ask you to please work with me, and all together, everybody awake and walk together, then every child can be educated, I believe then you can save the world.”