Neighbourhood Quote by Dionne Brand
““There were Italian neighbourhood and Vietnamese neighbourhoods in this city; there are Chinese ones and Ukrainian ones and Pakistani ones and Korean ones and African ones. Name a region on the planet and there's someone from there, here. All of them sit on Ojibway land, but hardly any of them know it or care because that genealogy is wilfully untraceable except in the name of the city itself. They'd only have to look, though, but it could be that what they know hurts them already, and what if they found out something even more damaging? These are people who are used to the earth beneath them shifting, and they all want it to stop-and if that means they must pretend to know nothing, well, that's the sacrifice they make.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: "On Indigenous Land and Multicultural Identity", 2018
The city’s diverse neighborhoods sit on Ojibway land, yet many residents are unaware or indifferent, highlighting forgotten histories and the need for recognition.
In simple terms: People live on indigenous land without knowing it.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and respect the land’s original stewards.
Themes
cultural diversity
indigenous rights
historical amnesia
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
social commentary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- education
- community dialogue
Key Concepts
sociology
colonial studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we raise awareness respectfully?
- What responsibilities arise from this knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Some may resist confronting uncomfortable histories.
