Land Acknowledgement:
Council of Three Fires Nation
Honoring the Land and Our Values at Thrive Ahead Co.
Honoring the Land at Thrive Ahead Co., we humbly acknowledge that our office resides on the ancestral lands of the Council of Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations.
We honor their enduring presence and resilient spirit. It’s important to recognize their rich cultural and spiritual connections in the land that has shaped this region for millennia. This acknowledgment is central to our commitment to cultural understanding and respect.
This is why we strive to integrate these values into every aspect of our mental health and wellness services.
The Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations formed the Council of Three Fires. And this collective alliance of tribes, is rooted in their shared Algonquian language and cultural practices. These nations were skilled stewards of the land, employing their extensive knowledge of agriculture, hunting, fishing, and gathering to sustain vibrant communities.
Bucktown’s History and Connection to the Land
As we work in the Bucktown area, once home to the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations, we embrace their example of community, healing, and resilience. Therefore, our creative wellness practices are grounded in the principles of self-care, healing, and emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to guide clients toward a more fulfilling and balanced life, rooted in connection and understanding.
The Impact of Colonization and Ongoing Resilience
The Council of Three Fires inhabited this region long before European contact, nurturing a deep spiritual and cultural connection to the land.
Historically, the land that now encompasses Bucktown and the surrounding areas was abundant in resources.
Lush forests, pristine waterways, and fertile soil provided the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi with the means to build community. They built homes, cultivated food, and nurtured their traditions for generations.
The Chicago River, (once known as the ‘Wild Onion’ river) due to the bountiful wild onions that grew along its banks, played a crucial role in their lives.
Tragically, as European settlers arrived, these Indigenous communities faced the devastating impacts of colonization. Not only did they experience disease, but forced displacement, the loss of their traditional territories, and many more inhumane acts.
However, despite the immense challenges and injustices they endured, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples have maintained their resilient spirit. They continue to contribute to the fabric of our shared society.
Therefore, it is essential that we honor their enduring legacy, recognize their ongoing presence, and work towards meaningful reconciliation.
Honoring the Indigenous Legacy in Our Work
As we gather and work within these walls, let us remember and honor the Indigenous communities. Remeber who have lived and thrived on this land for millennia.
We express our gratitude to the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. We express gratitude to their elders both past and present. And, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment of understanding, respect, and inclusion.
As we serve our community and one another, we honor their presence and engage with their example of spirituality, community and connectedness on their land.
Wellness and Therapy Focused on Healing and Community
We provide therapy and wellness services for emotional overwhelm, anxiety, and stress, focusing on culturally sensitive therapy that acknowledges the importance of community and land in emotional healing.
At Thrive Ahead Co., our goal is to foster an inclusive environment. We want a space where clients can explore their emotions, heal from past trauma, and cultivate self-care and emotional resilience.
By honoring the wisdom of Indigenous peoples, we integrate land-based therapy practices that support holistic wellness and deepened personal growth.
Let us work together to achieve a life where you can thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. In a space that honors the wisdom of the land and its people, we support your journey toward wellness with mental health counseling that emphasizes respect, inclusivity, and community healing.
Honoring the Land and Our Values at Thrive Ahead Co.
What is Land Acknowledgement?
“A land acknowledgment is a written statement that acknowledges the indigenous peoples on whose land you live. Historically, they have been written in countries including Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
They are small, yet powerful statements that recognize and name Indigenous peoples. Land acknowledgments bring Indigenous voices into a historical narrative that previously erased them, and they are a first step in recognizing and honoring the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land.”
—Care About Climate
Resources
ABOUT THREE FIRES COUNCIL
The Potawatomi Heritage site shares more about the Three Fires Council traditionally known name, it’s history and teachings.
CENTER FOR NATIVE FUTURES
The Center for Native Futures is an all-Native-artist-led arts non-profit organization in Zhegagoynak. They promote advancement of Native fine arts, foster contemporary artists, and encourage Indigenous Futurists.
GICHIGAMIIN INDIGENOUS NATIONS MUSEUM
Formerly known as, Mitchell Museum of American Indian, is a museum that occupies ancestral homelands of the Council of Three Fires, with a goal to support people to learn, celebrate, and share about Native cultures.
NATIVE LAND MAP
Native Land Digital honors the sovereignty of all Indigenous nations and share a map of the territories, treaties and languages.
AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER OF CHICAGO
American Indian Center of Chicago was established in 1953, with a mission to promote fellowship among Indian People of all tribes living in metropolitan Chicago and create bonds of understanding and communication between Indians and non-Indians in this city.
SETTLER COLONIAL CITY PROJECT: MAPPING OF CHICAGO
The Settler Colonial City Project is a research collective focused educating people on the impact of colonialism and sharing mapping history of Indigenous lands, villages, and trails.
Honoring the Land and Our Values at Thrive Ahead Co.