Before starting I want to acknowledge The campuses of Thompson Rivers University is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc Nation within Secwepemcul’ecw. As I gain knowledge, teaching, learning and research within this university, I recognize that this territory has always been a place of teaching, learning and research.
I respectfully acknowledge the Secwepemc—the peoples who have lived here for thousands of years, and who today are a Nation of 17 Bands.
I acknowledge Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc.
We acknowledge the many Indigenous peoples from across this land.
Poems Read in Podcast written by presenter Jhaniel Burrell
You
I wonder what you’ll be
Small and fragile the strength you bear invisible
Mistreated by the world
You sit quietly, waiting
Hi,
Although still small we see you
Still unknowing of your power
Time goes by you meet everyone
Rainstorms, Hail, hurricane, snow you still stand strong
You grow
You remain a mystery to me
Your strength now showing still the power it holds unknown
Tractors, buildings, pollution
Things implace to end you, you grow?
Now blossoming we see your fruit
Sweet, juicy, beautiful fruit
You give to us endlessly
Your power and strength now shining through
You heal, you give life
All without asking back
No one thanks you, you just give as we take
Not once you mention your battle to bear that fruit
No one cares to ask,
Yet you still give to us and I thank you beautiful apple tree
Change
Life built on self pleasure is like a hurricane to others
Tho beautiful and cleansing yet damaging
Rough wind, Heavy rain damages take from the vulnerable
And yet people stay hopeful and positive, through the longest storm to date;
Sometimes so damaging i ask why, abandoned, raped, suicide, alone
We see your pain and feel it too we fight for you
Yet you shine through the storm, you give, you fight, but came here to die?
Why?
Hurricane, Twister, Tornado, earthquakes, tsunami
Never goes away, even on the most beautiful day
So as long as i stand i shall be the change
So as long as i live i shall serve the good
In the eye of the storm I will shine