At the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, we acknowledge that our work takes place across the nation, and that our national office is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unsurrendered territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
The CHTA acknowledges the enduring and vibrant presence, culture, history, and inherent rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada on whose traditional territories CHTA members live and work and grow. We acknowledge that the keepers of traditional Indigenous knowledge in every community are worthy of honour, consideration, and respect. We also acknowledge the need for continued decolonization of gardening, nature access, and the practice of Horticultural Therapy.
We acknowledge the deep connections that Indigenous peoples have to the land and the profound wisdom they hold about cultivating relationships with the natural world. We are grateful for the ongoing opportunities for learning and growth that come from engaging with Indigenous communities, and we commit to approaching this relationship with gratitude, respect, and humility.
Our Commitment
The Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association is committed to upholding the principles of truth and reconciliation. We recognize the profound impact of colonization on Indigenous communities and acknowledge the ongoing legacies of systemic injustices that continue to affect Indigenous peoples across Canada, including within community and health care settings in which Horticultural Therapy is practiced.
In alignment with our commitment to truth and reconciliation, we pledge to:
- Educate ourselves and our members: We will actively seek out opportunities to learn about the histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, as well as the impacts of colonization on their health, well-being, and access to nature. We commit to sharing and compiling resources that point our membership toward accessing Indigenous knowledge relative to Horticultural Therapy.
- Advocate for Indigenous rights: We will advocate for the recognition and respect of Indigenous rights, including land rights, self-determination, health rights, and cultural revitalization, both within the CHTA organization and in the communities we encounter.
- Integrate Indigenous knowledge: We will incorporate Indigenous ecological knowledge, traditional plant-based practices, and cultural teachings into our horticultural therapy Code of Ethics, Core Skills & Knowledge tool, and resources. We will set a standard for HT professionals to foster a deeper connection to the land and promote healing and resilience for Indigenous communities and individuals.
- Support Indigenous-led initiatives: We will actively pursue and promote initiatives led by Indigenous communities aimed at healing, reconciliation, and the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and traditions.
Responding to these commitments, individually and collectively, is the responsibility of the horticultural therapy profession and presents an opportunity to translate our therapeutic principles and values into practice and contribute to a more just, equitable, and inclusive society where the inherent rights, dignity, and well-being of all Indigenous peoples are respected and upheld.
