20 Defining Skoden

The word Skoden is common amongst First Nations people across Turtle Island (the name used by Indigenous people for North America) and is becoming more used and understood by non-Indigenous people thanks to events such as the painting of Skoden across a water tower in Sudbury, Ontario in July, 2018.

Skoden is short form for the statement: “Let’s go then!”

After decades of colonization it is time for non-Indigenous people, as treaty partners on Turtle Island, to get going on restoring right relationships with people who are First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. In the Calls to Action coming out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and the Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA People, we are clearly called upon in post-secondary settings to do our part to ensure the truth is known about our history and its impact on the present. This is an important step towards bringing about equitable relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Education has in many ways contributed to the ongoing marginalization, oppression, and misrepresentation of Indigenous people. So, let’s Skoden in bringing about positive change!