While November is National Native American Heritage Month, it is important to recognize the historical and current significance of the land we inhabit throughout the entire year. This recognition is known as a Land Acknowledgement, which honors Indigenous People as original inhabitants of the land and the continuing relationship between Indigenous People and their traditional territories.[1]

Land Acknowledgment statements are increasingly common in government and academic spaces (e.g., Northwestern University) in the United States. The statement is often a part of meetings and conferences prior to the event’s commencement. It typically includes recognition of the Indigenous People, often with specific mention of a tribe or tribes, who inhabit or originally inhabited the land where the event is being held.[2] The Native Governance Center offers a great starting resource for drafting a Land Acknowledgment statement: https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/.

While there is a generally positive reception of well-intentioned Land Acknowledgment statements, there are varying perspectives on it as a practice. One perspective is that Land Acknowledgement statements show respect for Indigenous People, their land, and their respective cultures.[3] Land Acknowledgements originated as an Indigenous practice to recognize land ownership by other tribes and Indigenous communities, and was adopted later by non-Indigenous communities and entities in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and more recently, the United States.[4] Proponents of Land Acknowledgment statements seek to replicate the Indigenous practice and believe statements should be more common to increase awareness and recognition (e.g., email signatures, websites, etc.).[5]

Land Acknowledgement is more than just a statement at the start of an event, but in many Western practices, the written statement is the only action taken. Land Acknowledgment is about recognizing the past, addressing harm in the present, and moving towards a future that respects and honors all people and the lands we occupy.[6] To many, a statement is not enough and is in fact viewed as performative and virtue signaling. This perspective is split in two: one side argues Land Acknowledgment statements are okay if they also convey that land needs to be restored to the Indigenous People who previously had sovereignty over the land and how those steps are being taken;6 the other side believes Land Acknowledgment statements as a Western practice should be ended because it often frames Indigenous People as “stewards” of the land instead of inhabitants, and presents the injustices as “pre-history,” without acknowledging current harm against Indigenous People.[7]

As Land Acknowledgment statements become more common in the United States, consider these perspectives when deciding on either a statement or other form of Land Acknowledgment. Regardless of the route you choose, avoid just “checking the box,” and instead seek meaningful acknowledgment of Indigenous People of the past and present.

Sources:

1. Native Governance Center. A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement. https://nativegov.org/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/
2. Northwestern University. Land Acknowledgement. https://www.northwestern.edu/native-american-and-indigenous-peoples/about/Land%20Acknowledgement.html
3. Audubon Magazine. Guide to Land Acknowledgment. https://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2021/land-acknowledgment
4. University of Toronto. Land Acknowledgement. https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/about/land-acknowledgement/#:~:text=Acknowledging%20the%20land%20is%20an%20Indigenous%20protocol%20used,and%20worked%20on%20this%20land%20historically%20and%20presently
5. Native Land Digital. Territory Acknowledgement. https://native-land.ca/territory-acknowledgement/
6. CBC. What's wrong with land acknowledgments, and how to make them better. https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/land-acknowledgments-what-s-wrong-with-them-1.6217931
7. CNN. Land acknowledgments are often an empty gesture, some Indigenous people say. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/22/us/native-americans-land-acknowledgments-cec/index.html