Open In a Good Way
Breath. Grounding. Land acknowledgement. Prayer or reflection, in your own voice.
What is an opening?
An opening, in the simplest terms, is how you begin something with other people, that first moment when you gather, say hello, name where you are and why you're there, and set the tone for how you'll be together.
Taking a breath before you start
Acknowledging the land and the Indigenous peoples whose territory you're on, in a thoughtful, not checkbox way
Remembering your relationships and responsibilities
Choosing words that invite respect, safety, and honesty in the room
"Opening in a good way means starting with care, respect, and relationship, before we get to business."
"Matthew Dyck has created a beautiful website helping settlers of all cultural backgrounds navigate how to build better relationships with Indigenous Peoples… It's easy to move through the site, which I especially appreciate as an Indigenous Elder with limited technology skills."
"Haw'áa, U Siyam, thank you Matthew for creating such a wonderful website."
Haida and Squamish author, storyteller, singer, drummer
A helper, not an authority
AI is used only where the app generates personalized text, and that's it:
- Opening Builder – drafts prayer/reflection text based on occasion, tone, focus, and perspective, plus a land acknowledgement based on location and Nations.
- Prayer Generator – drafts a full prayer or secular reflection text.
- Closing Builder – drafts closing words or a prayer‑equivalent for endings.
This app supports opening in a good way, but it doesn't replace local Indigenous protocols, Elders, or ceremony. If your community already has opening practices, follow those first. Whenever possible, invite and properly thank Elders or Knowledge Holders.
This app uses AI to help draft openings and wording. AI draws from internet data that often over‑represents colonial and Euro‑Western perspectives, so Indigenous voices, languages, and protocols aren't fully or fairly reflected. Treat all suggestions as starting drafts: rewrite them in your own voice, and always defer to local Nations, Elders, and Knowledge Holders.
A living tool
Open In a Good Way is a living tool. It'll continue to change as people use it, offer feedback, and share what is and isn't working for their communities. Over time, language and features may shift so that this offering can stay responsive, humble, and more aligned with what people actually need in their gatherings.