October 25, 2021

November is Native American Heritage Month, offering a focused opportunity to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions, of Indigenous peoples. Land acknowledgement is a long-standing traditional custom for many Indigenous communities and nations. For non-Indigenous communities, land acknowledgment can be a powerful way of honoring the Indigenous peoples of the land on which we live.

Our recently developed SENR Indigenous Land Acknowledgement is an important step in creating reciprocal, accountable, and respectful relationships with Indigenous nations and communities. Land acknowledgements are most often offered as a welcome to an audience, in opening remarks, in the introduction to a class, or in an event program. Our land acknowledgement statement can be read aloud or included in written form on your course, extension, or other materials. Please keep in mind that a land acknowledgement is meant to be a reflective process through which mindfulness and intention are built and shared. It is not something that is simply recited. For instructors, you may want to consider an assignment related to the land acknowledgement that encourages a deeper understanding of the statement and its meaning.

However, land acknowledgment alone is not enough. It is an important starting point, but individually and collectively we need to ask ourselves how do I or how do we plan to take action to support Indigenous communities through our teaching, research, and outreach endeavors? This will be a long process centered around reciprocity with Indigenous peoples: building relationships, trust, and accountability. Meaningful allyship is a commitment to learn, act in de-colonizing ways, and sustain relationships with American Indian peoples and nations.

Please keep in mind that our Indigenous Land Acknowledgement statement will evolve over time. It is imperfect, but I believe captures the spirit of our intentions.

For further thoughts on how to appropriately use our Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Statement and for additional resources to consider in stepping beyond land acknowledgements, please visit here.