As Independence Day approaches, we hold space for the complexity of our American legacy.

We celebrate the growing cultural awareness that it is now time to grieve over the genocide and slavery that our forefathers chose to enact, instead of learning to live in peace with the First Nations of Turtle Island.

On this Independence Day that is celebrated for freedom and the birth of a new nation, it is now time to acknowledge how this nation came to be - the part that has been written out of history.

Moving forward, we can now choose to change that.

We can choose compassion, respect, responsibility and forgiveness, as our Indigenous Counci member shared last week, at a community event.

However you choose to celebrate, or not celebrate, we hope that you take a moment to acknowledge the countless Indigenous nations still living on these soils and speak their names.

As we stand in respect for Indigenous and non-indigenous people who have served our country, let us hold the intention to step towards collective unity while still acknowledging the trauma and violence of our history.

Let this 4th of July bring us one step closer to unity, solidarity, and peacemaking.

deep bow,
The AVF Team