Acknowledge
The Land
Land Acknowledgements are more than just words, they are an action. Learn, share, do. These are all essential components and we have created an easy guide to help you craft your own land acknowledgement and share with others.
Native people have always been here, and acknowledging the past and how it has shaped where we are today is how we can start to fully celebrate and honor Native peoples.
What does it mean to acknowledge the land?
For Native people, every day is a celebration of our resilience and our ways of knowing the world. As we walk on this land, we know that our histories, values, and cultures are intimately tied to it. For this reason, we believe it is important for supporters and allies to acknowledge this nation was first the land of Indigenous nations.
Why is this important?
Knowing who lived and thrived on this land before colonization increases the visibility and inclusion of Native peoples and gives us a greater voice in our country’s discourse, while honoring our contributions, cultures, and persistence.
What is the purpose?
It is not enough to merely provide an acknowledgement that is performative; these acknowledgements must lead to acts of transformative change.
“When done right, these statements highlight the fact that Native People are still here, contributing to society in meaningful ways, and continuing to fight for our rights that are guaranteed by the US Constitution.” Says Wizipan Little Elk from the Sicangu Community Development Corporation. He also adds, “One way to ensure that land acknowledgements remain a productive tool for equity is by encouraging action. That is why I have made the personal commitment to challenge everyone who hears a land acknowledgment to donate at least one dollar to a Native-led organization.”
How to write your land acknowledgement. (Source)
Step 1: Reflect.
• Why am I doing this land acknowledgment?
• What is my end goal?
• When will I have the largest impact?
Step 2: Learn.
• The Indigenous people to whom the land belongs.
• Names of living Indigenous people from these communities.
• The history of the land and any related treaties.
• When did your town/city or state become colonized?
• What happened to the tribes who lived where you live now? Use appropriate language. Don’t sugarcoat the past. Use terms like genocide, ethnic cleansing, stolen land, and forced removal to reflect actions taken by colonizers. Use past, present, and future tenses. Indigenous people are still here, and we’re thriving.
Download Our Land Acknowledgement Guide
↓ PDF FIle
EXPLORE WAYS TO CELEBRATE TOGETHER
There are many ways to immerse yourself in Native culture and appreciation. From social dances to a virtual book club with our President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, everything you need is below. We have also included resources like discussion guides and videos to create a rich and interactive experience.
