Thinking about work relationships in the settler state and how my ancestors wouldn& #39;t work alongside or trade with someone they didn& #39;t respect, weren& #39;t trusting of, or just didn& #39;t like as a person. Work and trade relationships were often intertwined with friendships or kinship.

Of course things have changed a lot due to capitalism and colonialism and the industrial revolution, but in thinking about future collaborative projects with artists, collectives, or companies, I would need to establish a good, trusting relationship first.

That means hospitality, that means coffee, tea, wine, food. That means sharing stories. That means listening attentively. That means laughing and smiling (unless someone is from a culture wherein humor or joy is expressed differently, which is fine of course.)

I know one of my ancestors made a sale or trade to some white guy once and afterward gifted him a tobacco pouch for free, probably beaded or quilled. This idea of gift giving in addition to business deals is so essential to me because it& #39;s grounds us as humans and as relatives.