As we draw near the time to gather, there is something important we want to share & reflect on together.
In this interview, Dance Temple Gathering co-founder Naomi Jason speaks to something that sits at the very heart of why and how we gather – our relationship to this land, its people, and the healing that becomes possible when we show up with open hearts and honest awareness.
We invite you to take a moment of your heart and time with Naomi’s words in the adjacent video and what follows below. The details of this land’s history matter.
(Find more info about The Eternal Song – Ancestral Wisdom for Collective Healing here.)
Dance Temple Gathering takes place on the grounds of Providence Farm, on the traditional, unceded territory of the Quw’utsun peoples (Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples).
We acknowledge that this land carries a difficult history during a challenging historical period, as well as much that has gone into healing it:
- 1864–1964: This site was home to a day/boarding school run by the Sisters of St. Ann, first for Indigenous girls and later for Indigenous and non-Indigenous orphans (caused by government and church policies).
- 2014: The Sisters acknowledged that their involvement contributed to a form of cultural oppression that caused harm to those who attended the schools and to subsequent generations.
- The cemeteries at the front of the property are owned by Cowichan Tribes hold memories of the past as well as being a resting place for Quw’utsun families to this day. We ask that all guests treat these spaces with quiet respect as part of the living history of this land.
- In recent years, Quw’utsun Elder’s, knowledge keepers and community members have led ceremony and cultural reclamation work on this land; clearing, blessing, and healing the space. Our gathering aims to honour and continue this work.
- Providence Farm Today: Since 1979, this land has been home to Providence Farm: an independent, secular, trauma-informed therapeutic community. Through nature based practice, horticultural activities, therapeutic animal care, Eco Arts and Farmily to table culinary arts the farm supports adults living with mental health challenges, brain injuries, developmental disabilities, neurodivergence, physical disabilities, and age-related illness.
We’re grateful to gather here — for the children and families who came before us, for the Quw’utsun people whose land this is and whose work continues to heal it, and for the community Providence Farm nurtures today.
Strengthening Relationships with Indigenous Cultures & Honouring the Land
At Dance Temple Gathering, we hold deep respect for the traditional stewards of the lands on which we gather. This event takes place on the traditional territory of the Ditidaht and Hul’q’umi’num-speaking peoples. These lands are home to the Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nations band in British Columbia, known as the Quwʼutsun in the Halkomelem language.
The Cowichan Tribes are composed of several tribes, including the Comiaken, Kilpahlas, Clemclematis, and Koksailah. The Malahat Nation, also a member of the Cowichan Tribes, shares the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Hul’q’umi’num-speaking people.
We recognize the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities, including the legacy of residential schools. This venue, once a residential school, now serves as a center for restoration and community support, aligning with principles of healing and reconciliation.
Our Commitments:
- Honor the Land and Its Peoples: We gather with reverence for the Quwʼutsun, Ditidaht, and Hul’q’umi’num-speaking peoples, honoring their stewardship, culture, and resilience.
- Amplify Indigenous Voices: We seek opportunities to collaborate with Indigenous leaders, artists, and educators, ensuring their contributions are acknowledged, compensated, and celebrated.
- Educate and Reflect: We encourage participants to learn about the history of these lands and the communities that have called them home since time immemorial.
- Support Restorative Practices: By aligning with the venue’s mission of restoration, we commit to fostering an environment that promotes healing, mutual respect, and cultural understanding.
- Environmental Stewardship: Inspired by Indigenous values of interconnectedness, we commit to caring for the land and minimizing our environmental impact.
What This Looks Like in Practice:
- Land Acknowledgement: Our gathering will begin with a land acknowledgment recognizing the Quwʼutsun, Ditidaht, and Hul’q’umi’num-speaking peoples and the history of the venue.
- Respectful Engagement: All interactions with Indigenous individuals or communities during the event will be conducted with humility, gratitude, and respect for their protocols.
- Educational Opportunities: We are honoured to bring local indigenous dancers & drummers to bless our Gathering as part of the opening ceremony. This year’s programming also includes 2 cultural care and Hul’qumi’num language worskhops and allyships talks with other practicing allies. Find ways to join us here.
- Community Giving: Where possible, a portion of proceeds or resources will be allocated to support local Indigenous initiatives or organizations.
We understand that restoration and reconciliation are lifelong practices requiring humility, accountability, and action. Together, we aim to create a gathering that honours the sacredness of the land, its peoples, and the journey toward healing.
