A Land Acknowledgement is a statement that recognizes our relationship with and responsibility to the land and the Indigenous peoples of the land. Key components of a land acknowledgement are:
Correctly naming the land you are occupying with the Indigenous name of the location
Acknowledging and naming the Indigenous peoples of the traditional territory
Acknowledging the Treaty that is tied to the land you are occupying
Addressing your occupation of the land ex. As uninvited guests
Addressing the impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples
Commitment to supporting and working with Indigenous peoples
Commitment to protecting and working with the land in a respectful way
Land acknowledgments should not be spoken in the past tense. Indigenous peoples are still here, colonization persists, and we all have responsibilities to uplift and respect Indigenous peoples and the land.
Why do Land Acknowledgements?
Land acknowledgements are foundational steps for establishing relationships with Indigenous peoples and the land. They should be used as a start for decolonization. You can begin to break down colonial influences through your land acknowledgement and your actions that will follow. Land acknowledgements are also a foundational way to honour the Indigenous peoples of the land. Colonizers have attempted to erase their existence, culture, language, and ties to the land. Acknowledging the Indigenous peoples pulls away from the idea that this land belongs to Canadians, the government, or the crown.
In addition, land acknowledgements are a step to honouring the land. By viewing your relationship with the land in a new way, you are honouring the way that Mother Earth sustains us. Actions following your land acknowledgment should have at least some focus on bettering your treatment of Mother Earth. Moreover, land acknowledgements are a start to honouring relationships. They establish intentions to change and to do everything in your position to support Indigenous rights and self-determination. That being said, you are committing to a reciprocal relationship with Indigenous peoples and the land.
Land acknowledgments are just the beginning. If you are doing a land acknowledgment without taking substantial actions to support Indigenous peoples and communities, rethink why you are choosing to do a land acknowledgement.
Tips for a Land Acknowledgment
They do not have to be read off of a script, you can talk about what the land and the land acknowledgement means to you
Take time to practice pronouncing the name of the Indigenous peoples and the territory you are acknowledging
Take the initiative to set out goals for yourself every time you acknowledge the land. Think about what you will do to live up to the words you are speaking. Think about what you will do to decolonize
It is and always will be necessary no matter the event/meeting/gathering and no matter if Indigenous peoples are present or not
The person giving the acknowledgement should be the host of the event or meeting themselves
Include a formal thank you to the host nation whenever making a presentation or holding a meeting, whether or not Indigenous individuals are part of the meeting or gathering
If you do not know the name of the Nation on whose territory or treaty land you are occupying, ask around; Friendship Centers, Indigenous Student Centers, local Band Offices
A land acknowledgment is not something you “just do” before an event. Rather it is a reflection process in which you build mindfulness and intention by walking into whatever gathering you are having
With getting to know the land, also comes getting to know the culture. Land acknowledgements are about respect and improving relationships so while getting to know the land and people, become familiar with the traditional language of the Indigenous peoples in your area. Language is strongly connected to the land
Taking it Further...
Land acknowledgments are important and necessary however they are just words. They express and push for action to create change in your life and your community.
Beyond a land acknowledgement, you should:
Unlearn - Colonial practices and ideals are instilled in our society so it is important to unlearn oppressive concepts and ideals. This means critically considering your own way of thinking and actions and understanding how they may be detrimental to Indigenous peoples and the land- then unlearn and change it. This is a step towards decolonizing.
Educate Yourself - Learn about your community, the Indigenous peoples of the land you are occupying, the history of colonization, the Doctrine of Discovery, Indigenous cultures, Indigenous languages, Indigenous ceremonies and traditions, racism, discrimination, the Indian Act, status, Indigenous land stewardship, Indigenous water and land teachings etc. There are numerous resources out there available such as films, books, community events, Indigenous-run websites and social media pages, webinars, and courses that you can learn from.
Take Action - Allyship is not possible without action. Stand with Indigenous peoples, attend protests and stand-ins, call out problematic language and conversations, refuse to support racist companies/teams/institutions/people, use your position to amplify Indigenous voices, hold yourself accountable, hold the government accountable, take responsibility, take care of the land, stand with the land, address important issues, etc.
Foster respectful, mutual relationships - Stand in solidarity and find out what you can do for the Indigenous communities near you.
Sources for Explanations: http://www.lspirg.org/knowtheland https://native-land.ca/ https://www.trentu.ca/indigenous/experience/cultural/nogojiwanong-traditional-area