As an organization that takes pride in conscious efforts to build inclusive and life-affirming communities, we take this opportunity to acknowledge that the North Country Region of New York State is situated on and around land that belongs to the Iroquois, Western Abenaki, Mohican, and Mohawk peoples. We honor the original caretakers of this and surrounding lands and offer respect to the Haudenosaunee, who continue to thrive here. This land, along with the waters now known as Lake Champlain, has been inhabited and nurtured by these communities for thousands of years. We must do the same to nurture and protect this sacred land. We are settlers on their land, and we strive to be accountable by remembering this history and cultivating respect in our relationships with our Indigenous neighbors and the land. This statement is a mere fraction of the steps that must be taken to consistently fight against systemic Indigenous erasure.
Aho, which is often spelled A'ho, is an expression that is deeply connected and rooted in Native American and Indigenous culture. Commonly serving as a respectful closing, Aho is used similarly to phrases such as 'I agree,' 'Yes,' or 'Amen.' This expression has become a unifying term across various nations, signifying agreement and respect, and its roots can be traced back to the Kiowa word for 'thank you.' Additionally, Aho serves another purpose, meaning 'Hello' or 'Goodbye.' The Aho Group emphasizes community connection and mutual respect for one another.
Aho is frequently used in Indigenous ceremonies to end prayers or signify consent, much like terms such as, 'so be it.' This term has often been paired with other words to deepen its contextual meaning. For instance, 'Aho Mitakuye Oyasin' is a Lakota phrase that translates to 'All my relations,' signifying a strong community connection and unity with all beings. Although this expression is used broadly today, it originates from specific tribal languages. Furthermore, while Aho can have various meanings in other languages, such as Japanese, our focus remains on integrating Indigenous practices into our professional and community-based services. As a respectful nod to our Indigenous neighbors, we center our work in our commitment to these traditions.
"The Aho Approach" is a concept that The Aho Group has uniquely coined to describe how we embrace and define our work and business practices. This approach emphasizes community, connection, compassion, civility, and culture. We are respectful of our relationships with people, the land, history, and our clients. The unique stories and backgrounds you carry hold significance and value. Our lives are interwoven and interconnected in ways that we both understand and can never fully comprehend.
The Aho Group is dedicated to understanding the widespread impact of trauma, and how it shows up and manifests for people and communities differently. We recognize that life experiences, particularly those characterized by adversity, shape and influence a person's perspective, emotions, behavior, and relationships. We prioritize physical, psychological, and emotional safety and encourage you to join us in fostering a collaborative environment where community connection thrives, all voices are heard, choices are respected, and healing is prioritized. Although we acknowledge that our world cannot always guarantee safety, we firmly believe that we can all lead with integrity and bravery.