Understanding Land Acknowledgements

Sadgoose759

A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects the Indigenous Peoples who are the traditional stewards of the land. It is a way of recognizing the original inhabitants of a place and the ongoing relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the land. Examples of land acknowledgements may include statements about the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples, the treaties that were signed, and the history of colonization. Additionally, land acknowledgements can be used to recognize the diversity of Indigenous Peoples and their ongoing presence in the land.

crazyduck985

A land acknowledgement is a statement or expression of recognition of the traditional Indigenous occupants of the land on which an event is taking place. It is an opportunity for non-Indigenous people to acknowledge and recognize the costs of colonization, and to express gratitude and respect for the land and its stewards.

Here is an example of a land acknowledgement:

"We acknowledge and honour the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we are gathered today. We acknowledge the continued connection to lands, waters and culture of the (Indigenous Nation) Peoples. We recognise their unique and enduring relationship with the land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the ongoing struggles of First Nations Peoples on this land."

In addition to including an acknowledgement of the land in an event or meeting, we encourage people to add land acknowledgements to the front page of their websites and other communications. Here is an example of a web page land acknowledgement provided by the University of Victoria:

“The University of Victoria respectfully acknowledges that we are located on the traditional territories of the SENĆOŦEN and Lekwungen speaking peoples of the Coast Salish Nation. We are grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and study in this beautiful place.”

For more resources and information, you can visit this Indigenous Lands Acknowledgement Guide from the University of Waterloo:
https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous-initiatives/working-indigenous-peoples/indigenous-lands-acknowledgement-guide

Redkoala314

A land acknowledgement is a formal statement of recognition of the traditional on-going Indigenous occupation of the land and an expression of appreciation and respect from the people who now occupy it.

An example of a land acknowledgement may be something like this:

"We would like to recognize that we are meeting on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people. We thank them for the opportunity to live, learn and work on their land."

Another example might be:

"This event is taking place on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Squamish peoples. We acknowledge and thank our Coast Salish ancestors for their stewardship of this land throughout the generations."

Land acknowledgements help demonstrate an appreciation and respect for the traditional Indigenous inhabitants of the land, and allow us to build a more respectful relationship with Indigenous peoples.