As the owner of Soul Tea Therapy, I would like to acknowledge that the land I occupy, which enables me to provide therapeutic services to various individuals and communities, has long historically served Indigenous peoples as a place of meeting, communing, and sustaining their way of life.

Specifically in the Northeastern Illinois region where I reside is the ancestral and contemporary territory of the Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk), Kaskaskia, Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Myaamia, and Peoria peoples. For any of my clients living across unceded land known as California, may we acknowledge that this land belonged to 109 Tribal Nations spread across the state, including the Tongva, Chumash, Kumeyaay, and Yelamu peoples.

As we honor and respect the diverse Indigenous people connected to these territories, I invite you to stand in solidarity with our Native neighbors by:

1) First, acknowledging the devastating impact of colonialism, genocide, and ethnic cleansing.

2) Secondly, raising awareness of the historical and current realities of Indigenous peoples of your local community.

3) Thirdly, developing a plan of action to actively support Indigenous communities in your area.

If you are interested in learning more, visit these websites for more resources:

https://native-land.ca/

https://4rsyouth.ca/land-back-what-do-we-mean/

https://nativegov.org/news/beyond-land-acknowledgment-guide/