Land Acknowledgements

The following resources provide insight into land acknowledgments. A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.

Why Do We Recognize the land? 

To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is also worth noting that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol. (source - www.lspirg.org/knowtheland)

Related documents

Title Author Description
Documentation: Inclusive Teaching/Land Acknowledgements in Teaching and Learning University of British Columbia Wiki Acknowledging Indigenous lands, rights, and peoples is a practice to inform where universities and institutions are situated. It is a starting point to understanding the long presence and histories of Indigenous peoples as well as our historical, social, and physical locations.
On land acknowledgments, some Indigenous advocates are ambivalent Brett Brundale, The Canadian Press This article discusses Indigenous land acknowledgements and includes perspectives of various Indigenous people.
Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory September 2017 Canadian Association of University Teachers This guide provides common ways for institutions to acknowledge Indigenous territory by province across Canada.