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Land Acknowledgement

Secret Theatre is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a place known as Kjipuktuk (che-book-took), in Mi’kma’ki — the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people.

We acknowledge that we live and work in a region governed by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, first signed in 1725. These treaties did not involve the surrender of land but recognized Mi’kmaq title and established ongoing relationships between nations. We are all treaty people, with responsibilities to uphold those agreements.

This acknowledgment is not a formality. It’s a starting point for understanding the histories that shape this land, and for recognizing our responsibilities as settlers and artists. Much of our work explores relationships to place — who gets to belong, what stories we inherit, and how we listen. These questions feel especially urgent as we face overlapping crises of climate, displacement, and disconnection.

We are learning from Mi’kmaw knowledge systems that center care, reciprocity, and stewardship — values we aim to carry into our practice. We invite others to do the same: to learn whose land you’re on, to support Indigenous-led movements, and to consider how your presence on this land might be part of a longer story.

Information about the Indigenous Peoples of the Land

General Information:

• Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada

• Native Land Digital

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Courses and Workshops:

• University of Alberta: Indigenous Canada

• KAIROS Blanket Exercise

Organizations:

• Assembly of First Nations

• Métis Nation of Ontario

• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Actions and Ways to Support Indigenous Communities

Support Indigenous Businesses:

• Purchase from Indigenous-owned businesses and artisans.

• Explore platforms like Shop First Nations.

Advocate for Indigenous Rights:

• Educate yourself about Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

• Support policies and initiatives that protect Indigenous lands and cultures.

Donate to Indigenous Causes:

• Indspire - Supporting Indigenous education.

• First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

Participate in Events and Movements:

• Attend Indigenous cultural events and ceremonies if open to the public.

• Participate in National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st.

Learn and Share Knowledge:

• Read books by Indigenous authors.

• Follow Indigenous voices on social media and share their content.

Further Reading on Environmental Stewardship

Books:

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• The Right to Be Cold by Sheila Watt-Cloutier

• The Reconciliation Manifesto by Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson

Articles:

• “Indigenous Environmental Network”

• “Decolonizing Environmentalism”

Organizations:

• Indigenous Climate Action

• Mother Earth Water Walk

By engaging with these resources and taking actionable steps, we can all contribute to supporting Indigenous communities and environmental stewardship.