Land Acknowledgement

A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement, typically performed at the start of an event, that recognizes Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of the land and the enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. It is a spoken embodied action toward greater public learning of Indigenous sovereignty and cultural rights.

In practice, a Land Acknowledgment is a verbal statement usually given at the beginning of a meeting or event. The practice may be integrated into everyday proceedings and/or into written form (i.e., plaque, syllabus, opening slide).

• To counter the “doctrine of discovery” — it is important to understand the historical context that has brought us to reside on the land, and to frame ourselves within that history.
• To emphasize that colonialism is a current and ongoing process, and we need to be aware of our present participation.
• To begin repairing relationships with Native communities and support larger truth-telling and reconciliation efforts.

In the United States, there are currently 574 federally recognized tribal nations, each with its own history and protocols for acknowledgment. While there is no one correct way to acknowledge, below are some best practices to consider:

• Learn who are the traditional stewards of the land you are on, the history of the land, and any related treaties.
• Self-reflect on why you are doing this and what you hope the audience impact will be.
• Create language in a collaborative process through relationship-building with local Indigenous communities.

The following is an example of an acknowledgment statement from Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP):

“Harvard University is located on the traditional and ancestral land of the Massachusett, the original inhabitants of what is now known as Boston and Cambridge. We pay respect to the people of the Massachusett Tribe, past and present, and honor the land itself which remains sacred to the Massachusett People.”

Acknowledgment is only the first step; it is not a stand in for relationship-building and action. Consider: What actions will you take to support Indigenous communities? How do you plan to elevate Indigenous voices, stories, and perspectives in your community?