As a white, Jewish "Canadian" woman, my apprenticeship in these embodied traditional knowledge systems is a true gift. These teachings, although a calling, are not my birthright. I acknowledge my racial, class, heteronormative, able-bodied and geographic and citizenship privileges.

 

I am a settler in so-called Canada and so-called South Africa. I am an occupier on and visit stolen land, and continue to benefit from this theft as a white woman, as do my children.

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I was born on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek Nations as well as the Mississauga’s of the New Credit First Nation, which is the territory subject to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant. I currently occupy the unceded tmxʷúlaʔxʷ of the autonomous Sinixt in so-called British Columbia.  

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I acknowledge both my oppressed and oppressive ancestors, as well as how I continue to benefit from colonization and oppression in its many forms today. I recognize that I am complicit in oppression, knowingly or ignorantly and that being a white Sangoma is problematic, period. 

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I am grateful for the correction and patience of marginalized and racialized people and will not rely on them to educate me on how to be a better white person, as this is my responsibility as a settler and co-resistor. I acknowledge that expecting this, can cause greater emotional, mental, physical and spiritual labour and distress, all the while, navigating the violence of whiteness, white structures and white bodies.

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I have caused harm because of my chosen, denied, unintended or willing ignorance. Despite endeavouring to mitigate this, as a white ciswoman, I will cause harm in the present or future. My commitment is to acknowledge the harm that I cause and to be restorative in a manner that is appropriate for the person/persons I have harmed, with no expectation of receiving an apology or being forgiven.

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I am committed to dismantling systems of oppression and following the lead of 2SLGBTQ+ (Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, plus, and/or Black, Indigenous and People of the Global Majority who understand the impacts of oppression and community-led solutions better than I ever will. I acknowledge that ultimately, disrupting whiteness and heteronormativity through systemic and embodied methods is on me and white and straight cis-gender folks.

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I am accountable and responsible for my ancestor's actions and embody these nuanced ancestors in the present. I will live in a reconcili-action (Indigenous Ally Toolkit, Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy Network) manner, and strive to do this in many ways, best discussed directly.​

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My Xhosa and Zulu Gobela (teacher) and many other Zangoma often told me that a person despite race, ethnicity and nationality can be called to heal in these traditions. Some do not agree with this. I respect this position, especially from Indigenous South Africans, who may be willing to problematize this with me further, however, I accept and appreciate Black, Indigenous and People of the Global Majority who do not want to engage, nor want white people in their places and spaces of healing.

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Cultural appropriation continues to grow exponentially. I recognize and am invested in changing oppressive systems, behaviours, attitudes, beliefs and practices connected but not limited to colonialization, neoliberalism, white supremacy, white privilege, capitalism, consumerism, cultural appropriation, classism, racism, heteropatriarchy and other systemic injustices.

 

I am also invested in engaging with other white bodies to address the harm, trauma and suffering we have historically inflicted and that we continue to inflict on Black, Indigenous kin and People of the Global Majority.

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​​​My teachers spanning the last 30 years are Gogo J. Skosana, Elder Vern Harper, Mkhulu Sebape, Gogo Joyce and Ntate Drake Koka.

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(Pictured: Gobela Joyce, Acornhoek, South Africa)