land acknowledgement, Bramble Theatre Company
2023
Aanii, boozhoo, Elise Randall Modica n’dizhinikaaz, Michigan n’donjibaa - hi, hello, my name is Elise Randall Modica, I’m originally from Michigan & my father’s people are the Mississauga First Nation in what is now called Ontario. We’re Anishiinaabe, which means “original people,” “good people,” or just “people” depending on who you ask. More specifically, we’re Ojibwe, or maybe you’ve heard us called Chippewa. Most commonly used tribal names are what someone else called us, so these things are always a little goofy in my opinion.
We don’t love a land acknowledgement. Right? It’s honestly not a great look. It’s as self-congratulatory and precious as it is cringe-inducing.
But the real damage a land acknowledgment can do is making all of us here feel safe and absolved of further action - of follow through - when we walk away tonight, myself included.
Because what is a land acknowledgement really? If we live by the credo that land never truly belonged to anyone, and we are but stewards of the earth for the next seven generations, what we’re actually doing here is a genocide acknowledgement, right?
A “removal” acknowledgement. These people “were” here before us, we’re here now, and how do we reconcile all these feelings around that?
If someone stole your house and said ‘kick rocks’ but then later felt bad about it and said oof, you know what, thank you for coming to my dinner party but I’d just like to take a moment to acknowledge that we’re eating at the former dining room table of the Modicas, ok everybody, you good? - we’re good - let’s eat? Those words are just words until they are backed up with action and honor. Words words words.
So here I am, on behalf of the talented and lovely people at Bramble Theatre, in the treasure trove and safe haven for all of us that is The Understudy, and I’d like to briefly acknowledge that we are gathering on the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabeg, specifically “the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations.
I’d also like to take this moment to specifically acknowledge Kitihawa, the Potawatomi woman who settled in this area and fostered trade amongst many peoples with her husband: Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. Next time you’re on Lake Shore Drive, just know in my mind I’m callin’ it the Kitiha-way.
What’s more, Chicago is currently home to one of the largest concentrations of pan-tribal indigenous populations in the states - after the policies of Indian relocation bribed natives off reservations with one way tickets to urban areas - busloads of natives from all over the states were dropped off in Uptown to assimilate.
They’re still here, we’re still here, and everyone here can take acknowledgement one step further: attend a powwow by the American Indian Center - there’s one in November, all are welcome - buy from native artists, support native creators, donate to native causes.
Stay educated on issues like Land Back, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/girls/people - don’t scroll past the reports of body counts discovered at the residential schools, go walk around the Native Truths exhibit at the Field Museum; take care of each other and take care of this land.
Mno anishinaabe-giizhigaad - have a good indigenous people’s day. I’d like to thank Bramble Theatre for having me, and recognize the efforts of organizations like Bramble to be on the right side of history when engaging with topics like these.
Enjoy the show, everyone. Miigwech bi-zin-daw-i-yeg, thank you for listening.
A portion of this reading’s proceeds [went] to support Chi-Nations Youth Council and the work they do uniting indigenous generations through education and the tending of their First Nations Community Garden.
*Office of the City Clerk, Land Acknowledgement Resolution
