Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge that we are able to live, learn, teach, and dance in Tk’emlups te Secwepemc territory. We respectfully acknowledge the Secwepemc, who today form a Nation of 17 Bands, that have called this home since time immemorial. We respectfully acknowledge that these lands have always been a place where teaching, learning, living, and dancing have always been a sacred part of life.

We would also like to acknowledge that the dances we teach, learn, and dance together are African-American vernacular styles of dance. This dance that we call swing, and many others that fall under the “swing umbrella” as well as street dancing was and still is a form of expression.  It is tied to the prosperity and hardships experienced by the African-American community. These dances that we dance are not our own.  When we dance and teach them we hope to celebrate where the dances have come from and the spirit of the dance.

We also acknowledge that these statements are only one part of the equation. We strive to continue to educate holistically, including historical and modern experiences and information. We hope to help in making meaningful changes to the systems of society by viewing our part in it and upholding the values and experiences of those who are from the communities harmed by these slowly changing systems.