Land Back Camp finds safe, brave space for this season in Laurel Creek

Marking the official launch with a film screening, tipi raising and brief Facebook Live stream, co-organizers of the O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp have set up in their new space in the Laurel Creek Conservation area. Working closely with staff from the Grand River Conservation Authority over the winter, that space was identified with the needs of the group in mind – and will be offering a safe space to two spirit Indigenous youth and “settler allies” in the LGBTQ+ community.

Speaking with 570 NEWS, co-organizers Shawn Johnston and Amy Smoke spoke to the decision to move from their previous location in Victoria Park, as Johnston said it was always understood that the camp would be re-established after taking a break for the holiday season. While the original intent of Land Back had been to provide more “land-based education”, Smoke said that racial and gendered violence at both the Victoria Park and previous Waterloo Park locations did not allow those efforts to move forward – and those issues haven’t vanished since moving.

“There were incidences in Victoria Park in particular of vandalism, but as we got to Laurel Creek it’s been a little up and down (…) then the vandalism of the banner we did have in Victoria Park which was gifted to us…” said Smoke. “Another community member very awesomely, lovingly sewed another banner for us – but we’ve already experienced some of the same unwelcome glances and comments.”

While some of those concerns have persisted in the Laurel Creek space, Smoke said that Laurel Creek’s park security have been helpful, offering drive-throughs of the park at the end of the night to ensure the park and camp are safe. According to Smoke, the new location in the conservation area is in a “controlled access space” only available to paying members, cutting down somewhat on the amount of “settler gaze” being experienced by members of the camp.

In working out the new location for Land Back, Johnston said Grand River Conservation Authority was given a list of what the group was looking for; a space close to the water where they could connect with the land, while still being within city limits and accessible for Indigenous youth and community members. Staff returned with several options – including the current space which had been surveyed by the Land Back Camp community over the winter.

“Laurel Creek has been great to work with,” said Johnston. “They’re really willing to work with us and just make sure we’re comfortable in our new space – it’s a really great working relationship, and we’re just really looking forward to seeing what the rest of the summer brings.”

When asked about the goals for this summer’s Land Back Camp, Smoke said organizers would like to provide a safe space for two spirit Indigenous youth as well as “settler allies” who belong to the LGBTQ+ community. Smoke said that there aren’t many Indigenous organizations in Kitchener-Waterloo that offer “two-spirit anything”, as they added that they’re hoping to work with two-spirit Elders on a number of projects – including building a sweat lodge.

“We’re really trying to step away from the gender binary, gender roles that have been perpetuated in the Indigenous community that are transphobic and homophobic – because of the missionary work, the bible, and all the things that come with that, our two spirit Elders went underground… back into the closet even,” said Smoke. “We’re really trying to allow for Indigenous youth to claim that identity while connecting to the land.”

“This is a space they can come to, put up their tent and stay on the land – and be part of a community.”

Smoke said Land Back Camp would like to get to know some of the members of the community through “open public events”, though they clarified that the camp is not fully open to anyone looking to “come pitch a tent”.

“We have individual sites, and also due to COVID we want to ensure everyone’s being safe…” said Smoke. “Our original camp members have been fairly severely quarantined and are almost fully vaccinated now, so we’re definitely going to put a few folks together – but I hope to see a lot of Indigenous queer youth out there.”

Regarding future plans and the length of time that Land Back Camp is expected to stay in this Laurel Creek location, Johnston said they’ll likely remain in the area for the entirety of the summer as they emphasized that organizers and camp members are “regular folks too”.

“We have jobs, and no one is paying us to do this – but we’re doing it because we love creating space for the youth. There is a need for more space to be created for the Indigenous communities here in KW, which is why we started in the first place.”

Smoke added that there have been conversations about branching out the initiative in the future, as they raised the idea of acquiring land and establishing a permanent space in some fashion. With the camp constantly relocating, Smoke said the regular displacement speaks somewhat to the “impermanency of Indigenous folks”, forced to move regularly “whether that’s by government, the Indian act or whatever”.

“We’d like to see a more permanent space for this group.”

When asked how members of the community can support Land Back Camp, Johnston said individuals are encouraged to offer assistance in a similar fashion to last year’s camp – as members will be accepting donations of “the basics” with a particular emphasis placed on the need for ice to keep goods frozen.

“We always encourage people to reach out to our website, social media or Facebook page. They can send us a message too – we’re always willing to meet people at the front gates of the park if they want to drop off anything for the camp.”

Smoke added that Land Back Camp has also set up a GoFundMe page, as organizers can determine what’s required for the camp and direct funding through that avenue as well.