Spencer Sheehan Kalina

Acknowledgments

“I am, because we are; and since we are therefore I am.”

— John Samuel Mbiti

I believe strongly in these wise words from esteemed Kenyan theologian John Mbiti. To give acknowledgements and express gratitude was an important tenet in how my Grandmother and Mother raised me. For this reason I have dedicated a page on my website to do just that.

In the process of writing these acknowledgments, I have come to realize that so much of where we come out of and what nourishes us is often due to, largely, the help of others who do so selflessly and in anonymity. For that reason, I owe so much thanks to so many for their help on my life-journey and I know that this list will never be truly complete. However, as many can be named I felt it necessary to say thank you to them here.

To the Ancestors that kept the places where I have lived and to the Ancestors who are my progenitors, I owe you more than I will ever know and imagine, so thank you.

To our Children who are newly here and still yet to come, thank you for all that you will do and all you’ve dealt with that we could not do for you in our time that we spent on earth; you are our everything and I love you.

Thank you to all the First Nation’s communities who’s traditional territories that I have been blessed to live, learn, play and grow in: I want to acknowledge I have spent my time on the un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory that Ottawa was built on while growing up; for the time spent living in the community of Gold River I want to acknowledge the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation; for all the learning I have done while passing through the city known as Campbell River, I want to acknowledge that Wei Wai Kum First Nation; I owe much gratitude thanks to the Snuneymuxw and Quw'utsun First Nationsk for the time spent studying on their territories; I owe an acknowledgement for being on un-ceded territory of the K'ómoks First Nation while living and studying in the city of Courtenay; the Tla’amin Nation for time spent in the qathet Regional District; of course all the traditional territories of the First Nation communities that make up the area settler’s renamed Vancouver, which are the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

To my parents. I am so thankful for you both. Thank you for choosing to take on all the challenges that raising a child brings. Words of gratitude will always fall short to express my love and thanks.

To my partner who gives me love and chooses to wake up beside me each day, no matter how hectic and chaotic life gets…. or animals that crawl in between us.

To my family that was always so supportive, patient, kind and nurturing, a huge thank you.

To my mentors, teachers, coaches and guides, thank you for giving so much knowledge, encouragement, time, endless resources and of yourselves personally.

Thank you to all the people who I am lucky enough to come into contact with through my daily life and because of the work I do. I am eternally grateful, honoured and touched by your support and kindness. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for you.