The Coming Out Monologues V. 2 Acknowledgments

Fighting for queer, trans, and Two Spirit liberation, we must first acknowledge and be accountable to histories and ongoing processes of colonization and imperialism. In a country that is active in the continued colonial project, we must work in solidarity with and support the efforts of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people and communities. Acknowledgements like these are only one component of Indigenous solidarity and require ongoing action, commitments to self-education, and support for Indigenous resistance.

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The Coming Out Monologues V. 2 was conceptualized and curated on the traditional and shared lands of Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Wendat, and Chonnonton peoples. The Niagara region is also home to many Métis and Inuit people. These lands are included in the Upper Canada Treaties and governed by the “Dish with One Spoon” pre-colonial agreement. This treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee binds them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous nations and peoples, settlers and all newcomers, have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship, and respect. In learning about the treaties and agreements in this region, it is also integral to understand the 1764 Treaty of Niagara as a foundational agreement in nation-to-nation relations.

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The contributors, supporters, and team who worked on this project are located on the Indigenous lands stewarded by various Indigenous nations across Turtle Island. One resource we recommend you check out is www.native-land.ca to better understand the Indigenous territory and treaties in your area.

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Legacies of colonization, racism, and capitalism are upheld everyday by our failure to address ongoing attacks on Two Spirit, trans, and gender non-conforming Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Colour, who have always been at the forefront of calling for essential societal change, calls which far too often ends up in their criminalization and death. 

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In thinking about building creative spaces for societal change, we must be prioritizing these discussions and supporting the creative and political work of Indigenous and Black people and communities within Niagara, across this country, and across the world. One person we would like to honour is Sumaya Dalmar, a Trans Somali Activist and Model, killed in Toronto on February 22, 2015 at 26 years old. Sumaya worked with The 519 and was the primary actor in the documentary “An Intimate Portrait of Somalian Trans-Woman”.