National Indigenous Peoples Day & International Day of Yoga
Solstice reflections from June 2024.
Each year as the solstice approaches I get a funny feeling in my belly. National Indigenous Peoples day shares its day with the International day of Yoga. And Each year I grapple with how to acknowledge both, and the result is that to date I've acknowledged neither.
Recently, while chatting with my friend @niic.chiickloskii she said, “If you are going to do it, what is it in service of?” This question has sat with me since. I eat in service of nourishment, I drink in service of hydration. I share in service of learning.
So my silence each year, what has this been in service of?
The humanitarian in me wants to say it is to amplify the voices of indigenous people, and not to abuse it for the marketing my business.
But in reality, it has been in service of my own fear, of judgement and controversial conversations. My actions have not aligned with my ethics.
Since making myself an uninvited guest on these lands, I have slowly been learning, wanting to do more, but not knowing what more looked like. This winter, my YTT @villageyogapemby spent a lot of time in discussing colonialism in yoga and on the lands we choose to live. We explored our own lineages and worked on how to authentically acknowledge uncomfortable pasts. I have started becoming more comfortable talking.
What is an acknowledgement without a call to action? What is it in service of?
Here are a couple of ideas to take action:
🌱 Visit the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre (regularly)
🌱 Learn some native plants, & the invasive plants or activities which impact their growth
🌱 If you watch TV, Listen to Podcasts, Read Books or scroll social media, explore listening to more indigenous people and creators
🌱 Read Braiding Sweetgrass
🌱 Consider how you use your voice. Your voice is powerful.
What is this blog in service of?
I see the irony. My hope in sharing was to support others who may feel similar stagnation, and I hope this has provided more good than bad. I am still on this lifelong journey of understanding and reconciliation. I am open to feedback and insight, please shoot me a message.
If you have more ideas/resources, please message me.
Nicki is Founder of Wild Vedas & Lead Guide - a clinical Ayurvedic Practitioner, Yoga Teacher Trainer & Hiking Guide. She has been guiding transformative outdoor journeys since 2011.
Growing up in Australia, her career has had her living in NZ, the UK, Bali and now Canada, as well has having guided numerous programs across Asia and South America. She has held space for thousands of journeys of self reflection, awareness & growth using nature and community as mirrors back to ourselves. Nicki's programs prioritise playfulness, community, authenticity, and a deep curiosity for self-discovery, connection with others, and exploration of the world around us.
