Our Commitments
Land Acknowledgment
We want to take this space to acknowledge that our work happens asynchronously on the land of several First Nations territories. Core members of our team have lived in different places and may continue to move, and new members may join who are from elsewhere, so we have a relevant Land Acknowledgement for every issue and anthology we create to honour the people and land each team member creates on currently. Our “home base,” if you would call it that, is located on the traditional, unceded territories of the Quw’ustun Peoples. These lands were acquired through the breaking of Treaty Agreements, and the oppression that resulted is still felt today, requiring much action and allyship to heal and rectify. Eavesdrop as an organization is committed to the work of peace-building, taking meaningful action, and standing in allyship with Indigenous communities. We strive to build equity in the literary arts from a place of gratitude, self-education, and partnership.
That all said, we recognize that Land Acknowledgements are not enough. In many cases, they have become performative, impersonal, a box to tick for corporations and institutions, and a bandage for white guilt. We aren’t saying toss your acknowledgements in the trash completely (wouldn’t that be hypocritical), but deliver them with purpose, make them personal about YOUR commitments, ensure you are acknowledging the right lands and people who have stewarded those ands for thousands of years, and always make a relevant call to action to inspire change in others. We have listened to several Indigenous activist and artists on what the difference is between meaningful and empty words, and have a few things we want to share about our commitments and what you can do to be a good ally.
Check out these articles to learn more about the Indigenous Perspective on Land Acknowledgements:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/indigenous-artists-tell-us-what-they-think-about-land-acknowledgements/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/land-acknowledgments-what-s-wrong-with-them-1.6217931
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/15/1160204144/indigenous-land-acknowledgments
https://hyperallergic.com/769024/your-land-acknowledgment-is-not-enough/
“A land acknowledgment is not enough.
To engage with the land on the land’s terms is an act of reciprocity. Reciprocity, rather than recognition, is what the land requires because that is what it has already given. Are you not alive, breathing, because of this land?
The land exists regardless of settler acknowledgment, which can only ever be the first step toward meaningful action. Next steps involve building relationships with that land as if it were your kin. Because it is. ”
Eavesdrop’s Commitments
Eavesdrop recognizes that we are focused on publishing most of our content from the so-called Canadian perspective, and that Canada is a country founded in genocide and continues to oppress Indigenous Peoples. We’ve learned throughout our lives that reconciliation is a journey that we must walk together through reciprocity, understanding, and respect. Having truly equitable operations for many nonprofit organizations may be difficult at times as we must adhere to government laws and policies as well as mandates outlined by funders if we want to continue supporting marginalized artists. We must fight back, and take meaningful action, to give our words and commitments meaning. So, what are we doing as an organization?
We are a grassroots, volunteer/queer founded and operated arts nonprofit that never requires payment to access our content. We do everything in-house and support artists as much as we can! We truly believe in our commitments and in our mission that everyone deserves to access art, but that means we don’t have any spare funding to fight on a larger political scale. Currently, our actions toward reconciliation as an organization include:
We ALWAYS accept submissions from Indigenous artists on Turtle Island to show solidarity with communities that were traditionally borderless and nomadic. We recognize that country borders are a colonial construct, and this is one way we can combat government/funder policy.
We work with Indigenous artists to build reciprocal relationships. If they require payment upfront for their art or additional time, we adjust our payment and submission procedures in good faith.
Our calls for submissions are physically circulated into the communities we are uninvited guests on to reach those without internet access or who may not have a high digital literacy. This means handing out flyers at events, hanging posters, and connecting with Indigenous Community Workers such as those at Cowichan Tribes or at the House of Friendship. If we go into communities with submission calls, we will always pay Indigenous artists in those communities who we are connecting with.
Writing to members of parliament or other relevant government officials for change, especially in support of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and the 231 Calls for Justice outlined by the MMIWG National Inquiry.
We want to do more, and hope we can in the near future. If we can do better, we want to know, but we are always striving to self-educate so, hopefully, we can improve without harming anyone in the process. Self education is a fundamental part of doing better! However, we want to mention that you can also support Indigenous businesses who provide consulting and PAY them for their knowledge and assessments for cultural safety in your business/practice/policies. Don’t continue to ask for free labor from your Indigenous friends, colleagues, and community members; that is a form of harm!
What can you do?
Allyship and taking meaningful action can have many forms. Supporting Indigenous organizations advocating for their rights and local Indigenous businesses as well as artists with your money is an easy way to be an ally. We recognize that the current economy makes it very difficult for many folx to even cover essentials like food and shelter, but there are free and simple ways to take action beyond an acknowledgement. Examples include:
Go to Indigenous-led events where allies are welcome
When permitted by the artist, share Indigenous artwork with your family, friends, and on social media
Take books from Indigenous authors out from the library, and request your library purchase specific works if they aren’t carrying them
If you are a person of privilege, educate others when they are uninformed. Learn about the land you live on, the land you’re travelling to, and the histories of the Peoples there. Head to www.native-land.ca to see whose land you’re learning, living, and growing on.
If you are able, write to your local, provincial, or national government to support political change
Make an effort to follow Indigenous content creators, educators, athletes, and politicians wherever they are creating content and impact
Learn the language of the Indigenous Peoples in your area (libraries and content creators are a huge resource).
We still have along way to go as a society towards reconciliation. The last residential school was closed in 1996. Survivors need to be heard. We must uplift their voices; it is important as settlers to ensure we are not infantilizing or forgetting. Indigenous Peoples never left, and we must stop treating Indigenous Culture like it was erased. It’s still here, it’s always been here, and we need to be part of the change to ensure it’s seen far and wide.