King wants to see institutions, organizations, or whoever plans on making a land acknowledgment to collaborate with and support Indigenous communities. From universities to sports games to city council meetings to Twitter bios, its becoming increasingly common to see statements recognizing that the land on which one is standing once belonged to Indigenous people. "Do the internal work before you decide to step out into the world with your reconciliation mime. We invite the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability community to actively participate in these acts of respect, by getting to know better the history and present context of the Indigenous communities of the land where you live, study, and work. (248) 370-3496 When it comes to action, Kahsennoktha George wants to see companies and institutions participating in systemic change. WebLand Acknowledgement Statement. A Warner Bros. The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.. Following the 2018 LMDA conference in Toronto -- LGBTQIA+ students, allies are Out for Business with new student org, Love with no borders: How Valentines Day is celebrated around the world, Oakland University's independent student newspaper, Your email address will not be published. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much "Not just saying that we're scoring a brownie point on our Truth andReconciliation Commission report card. She then sent it to me I posted it on Facebook, and thats when Professor Rajaee responded telling me Tara was a student of hers and that we should talk about getting it formally adopted.. The land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. ), Ashleigh Dubie (Cherokee, English/STEP, student), Megan Peiser (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Asst. -The Title and/or Text of the Land Acknowledgement (if applicable). MI 350 Estate Drive All Rights Reserved. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. We greatly appreciate the increased interest in this traditional practice, but the large volume of inquiries received does not always allow us to respond in a timely manner. "A land acknowledgment should be an obligation," said King. They've become so commonplace that you'll hear land acknowledgments at the start of hockey games, during academic conferencesand even written at the bottom of corporate email signatures. The analysis of this data, or separate/individual entries, can be found in the Land Acknowledgement database. For Lambert, the most logical next step is to give the land back. Its not about your statement being correct. Its not about performance either. WebWHEREAS, land acknowledgments serve to illuminate ongoing indigenous presence, as well as recognize and counter settler-colonial legacies of violence and land expropriation, AND WHEREAS, the purpose of these statements is to show respect and honor the indigenous peoples that this land has been home to since time immemorial,1 AND We acknowledge that this land was colonized via the Treaty of Detroit in 1807. We also acknowledge the Mtis community who were forced from their community on Bootaaganini-minis (Drummond Island), when the border was drawn between the US and Canada. The best way to create an appropriate land acknowledgement is to consult and collaborate local Tribal leaders, which Stanford University has donethrough the Native American Cultural Center, the university archaeologist's office, and the university president's office. Many people who use the app tend to approach it as the endpoint rather than the starting point, he adds. There are hundreds of Indigenous communities across the United States. Soon Assistant Professor of English Megan Peiser (tribal affiliation Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) and English STEP student Ashleigh Dubie (tribal affiliation Cherokee) were brought on board. Published -The Institution Type. We acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. Necefer says his organization NativesOutdoors has moved away from the red pin emojis in social media captions that function as land acknowledgments and is instead focusing its efforts on more ambitious ways they can educate non-Native audiences about the history of the places they live. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. Watch the Baroness von Sketch Show's satirical take on land acknowledgments: King wants to see institutions, organizations, or whoever plans on making a land acknowledgment tocollaborate with and support Indigenous communities. WebWHEREAS, land acknowledgments serve to illuminate ongoing indigenous presence, as well as recognize and counter settler-colonial legacies of violence and land expropriation, AND WHEREAS, the purpose of these statements is to show respect and honor the indigenous peoples that this land has been home to since time immemorial,1 AND Your acknowledgement should come from the heart, and we cannot provide you with the exact words to use. According to a map within the University archive, Anishinaabeg maintained an Indian Encampment south of the Red Cedar River when classes were first held at the University (then known as Michigan Agricultural College) on May 13, 1857. Hours:Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Wednesdays with extended hours 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. Giving a land acknowledgement requires research and reflection to understand the historical and contemporary Indigenous communities having a relationship with the land. She is currently a reporter with CBC Indigenous covering communities across Quebec. Kanhehs:io Deer is a Kanienkeh:ka journalist from Kahnaw:ke, south of Montreal. The statement reads: Oakland University resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabe, known as the Three Fires Confederacy, comprised of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. Universities around the state and country have issued similar land acknowledgement statements. Some of the tribes listed are functionally extinct, he says, and are grouped in with nations that continue to exist in the area. Required fields are marked *, The people behind OUs Land Acknowledgement Statement, Sault Sainte Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, American Indian Health and Family Services. "You wouldn't say, 'I acknowledge that my hair is brown, my eyes brown.' In AIIS, we push Michigan State University to recruit, retain, and support American Indian and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. "If you're going to explicitly say in your land acknowledgment that you want better relations, then you have to prove and you have to show consistency and that you're actually doing those actions.". Among the many reasons for adopting the statement is the need for Oakland University to demonstrate a public show of respect to Native peoples who have been Oakland University resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabe, known as the Three Fires Confederacy, comprised of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. The bottom line in terms of Indigenous land acknowledgments is that its one component that raises awareness about Indigenous peoples here in this country in the United States, Deel-McKenzie says. WebThe purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. Copyright Duwamish Tribal Services, 2018. WebResource Map - Land Acknowledgements. Following the 2018 LMDA conference in Toronto -- By clicking on each plotted point, you can access basic Land Acknowledgement data: -The Institution's/Entity's Name. -The Institution Type The formal and public acknowledgement is an explicit gesture intended to cultivate a mutually beneficial dialogue, which is an essential feature in building an inclusive campus community. In an era of reconciliation, they're political statements meant to recognize First Nations, Inuit, and Mtis territory, however many Indigenous people argue they've grown to become superficial, performative and problematic. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), as well as other Indigenous people and historic tribes in Michigan (Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, Mackinac Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, and Swan Creek Black River Confederated Ojibwa Tribes), across Turtle Island, and throughout the Fourth World. WebA Land Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the people groups who originally stewarded the land prior to its colonization. 8. We were absolutely committed to making sure that the land acknowledgement didnt devolve into just rhetoric.. To ensure they achieved their goals, the group made the language tangible by acknowledging specific Indigenous communities and accurately reflecting history. Despite the problems with land acknowledgments, George wants people to continue making them. -The Address/City/State. WebA 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. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. Reflect on the kind of engagement you have with these groups and recognize your positionality in relation to that land. This land was and continues to be of great importance to the Ohlone people. WebA land acknowledgment is a traditional custom in many Native communities and nations to show respect to the people of the land since time immemorial. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. That doesn't always have to be something that is public, either, he said. WebWe recognize that Land Acknowledgements must be preceded and followed with ongoing and unwavering commitments to American Indian and Indigenous communities. WebFor non-Indigenous communities, land acknowledgement is a powerful way of showing respect and honoring the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which we work and live. WebLand Acknowledgements Map. Tangible commitments like displaying the statement on OU websites, integrating it into courses and delivering the land acknowledgement statement at events were all outlined in the email. Challenge Detroit 2023-2024 Fellowship Job Opportunity, MSU College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (CANR), MSU in the 313 Pre College Summer Experience Scholarship, UOE Lunch and Learn - Native American Institute, James Madison College - Black History Month symposium, Subscribe to get information about our events and activities by e-mail. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. WebWe recognize that Land Acknowledgements must be preceded and followed with ongoing and unwavering commitments to American Indian and Indigenous communities. For OU, the first steps in delivering a more inclusive campus for Indigenous students is going to be following up on the goals outlined in the Campus Communications release. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. -Laurier Students Public Interest Research Group, Ontario, Canada. Among the many reasons for adopting the statement is the need for Oakland University to demonstrate a public show of respect to Native peoples who have been Territories, Languages, and Treaties Digital Map, Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgment. We affirm and acknowledge the Burt Lake Band, who were literally burned from their houses in 1900. In particular, the university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. It had to emerge out of conversations with native communities, Knutson said. A deep understanding of Native peoples past and present informs the teaching, research, and community engagement of the university in its ongoing effort to elevate the dignity of all people and serve as shared stewards of the land. By officially enacting the acknowledgement on May 5, OU joins a number of public institutions across the country in this step toward the inclusion of Indigenous communities. Megan and Ashleigh both contributed, but [there was still this question of] how do we create this with a larger community having input? I also think that we are exploring, putting a [permanent plaque of the acknowledgement] in a very public place so that it helps the community understand where we come from.. Land dispossession is continuing, he adds. There has to be absolute action behind it," she said. If you are a member of the Duwamish Tribe, please visit our Membership page to subscribe to a separate list. WebFor non-Indigenous communities, land acknowledgement is a powerful way of showing respect and honoring the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which we work and live. I think that Indians would say, We want the land back.. Outside of the usual satisfaction of a job well done, Dubie had deeper reflections about what the statement means for her as an Indigenous student. We are also here to honor our Native American ancestors whose ways of knowing demonstrated reverence and respect for the land on which Oakland University and Meadow Brook Hall now stands. It hasnt ended.. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. "To speak about your territorial acknowledgment in the past continues that dominant narrative.". In order to be transformative, it is important to move away from performative acts, as Megan Red-Shirt Shawsays in her essay Beyond the Land Acknowledgment: College "LAND BACK" or Free Tuition for Native Students, into a mindful way to show awareness, create accountability, and actively disrupt colonial structures. I hope our administration will.. As big of a step as the land acknowledgement is, its a foundational step that the committee wants to see built upon. Following the 2018 LMDA conference in Toronto -- appreciated. We acknowledge the real ways that the State of Michigan, Michigan State University, and residents of this Land have benefitted from the forced and systematic removal of Anishinaabeg and other Indigenous peoples from Michigan, particularly during the Indian Removal period of the nineteenth century. Another action it proposes is voluntary land taxes regular payments that go directly toward Native nations or organizations in the area. But for Michael Lambert, many such statements dont adequately reflect how Indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their lands. [Were considering] some type of an ongoing event that would honor Native Americans Native American History Month or some other activity. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. The exercise felt uncomfortable and awkward, Necefer wrote in Outside magazine. (Native Lands Digital, which did not immediately respond to questions from CNN, says in a disclaimer on the site that the map is not perfect and is a work in progress.) Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, a dance and drum community circle, performs a land acknowledgment in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 8, 2021. If we can understand that, I think the rest will come.. Your email address will not be published. For Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin elder from Kitigan Zibi, Que., the issue boils down to the concept of land back. -The Address/City/State "It's still the beginning of some kind of conversation," she said. Peiser expanded on this point and the groups mentality while crafting the language. Oakland University, Andrew & Savana's stylish and sophisticated Meadow, Everything is different after dark. I spoke with Tara at an American Indian Health and Family Services event, at which she told me about writing it for [Harpers] class, Associate Professor of English Andrea Knutson said. We pledge to elevate our ways of knowing to better reflect the sustainable practices and peaceful coexistence that has allowed our beloved university to thrive. Most of this work was actually teaching educating those in leadership positions who Native Peoples of Michigan are.. WebA Land Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the people groups who originally stewarded the land prior to its colonization. WebThe purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. You just are on the land of these peoples," she said. A people that are still here, continuing to honor and bring to light their ancient heritage. This was a project of a senior high school student who worked closely with a Duwamish elder. positionality in relation to that land. Acknowledgement can be a thank you or an honoring. Together, Oakland University faculty, students and administrators collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. Again, thank you to the faculty for driving this initiative, pushing for greater recognition and equity for Native peoples, engaging in our broader community, and for being invaluable partners in the ongoing development of our university. That also means taking the time to research specific names of nations rather than sweeping generalizations, and being cautious of subtext. You do not need to follow our example acknowledgement word-for-word. Native Governance Center counts land repatriation as one of several ways that institutions and individuals might go beyond a simple land acknowledgment. CBC Indigenous spoke with five First Nations people about the issues they see, what they expect when others make land acknowledgmentsand advice on how they can ring less hollow. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. The MSU Native American Institute provides a land acknowledgement for the university based to raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that took place before Michigan State University. The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. There was no draft that was signed off on without it going back to our committee, Knutson said. In recognizing the history and respecting the sovereignty of Michigans Indian Nations, Oakland University honors the heritage of Indigenous communities and their significant role in shaping the course of this region. WebOne example of an opening land acknowledgement was: We acknowledge that The University of Michigan, named for Michigami, the worlds largest freshwater system and located in the Huron River watershed, was formed and has grown through connections with the land stewarded by the Niswi Ishkodewan Anishinaabeg: The Three Fires People who WebA 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. That sentiment was echoed by Devon Saulis, a member of the Tobique First Nation who lives in Ottawa. "A tool of colonialism is to keep us in the past tense," said Nahanee. -Laurier Students Public Interest Research Group, Ontario, Canada. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Their voices lifted the project but there was still more to do. In AIIS, we push Michigan State University to recruit, retain, and support American Indian and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. This acknowledgment may be written or may be spoken at the beginning of an event or program, showing a specific commitment to restorative justice (please read the recommended articles). WebA Land Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the people groups who originally stewarded the land prior to its colonization. He notices a similar lack of nuance in the ways people determine whose land theyre on. Nahanee is Swxw7mesh (Squamish) from Eslha7an (Ustlawn) in B.C. I could see that people are just copying and pasting this stuff without really looking into the details, Necefer tells CNN. Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. We understand that there is an indelible relationship between the creation of Land Grant institutions, the simultaneous and ongoing expropriation of Indigenous Lands, and the governmentally-coordinated genocide against Indigenous peoples. WebWe recognize that Land Acknowledgements must be preceded and followed with ongoing and unwavering commitments to American Indian and Indigenous communities. The importance of land acknowledgments for non-indigenous individuals and communities relies on the recognition of their relationship to the original inhabitants of a location and to the land. While Indigenous peoples have practiced land acknowledgments for generations, Westerners have adopted the custom relatively recently as they attempt to reckon with the harms brought on by colonization. When that Campus Communications email announcement made the OU Land Acknowledgement Statement official, there was definitely a sense of pride in what had been accomplished. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. "A land acknowledgement is an optional statement, often given at the beginning of organized events, celebrations and activities, or published in printed materials," according to the Native American Institute within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University . Right now the administration is working on completing and expanding those goals. Acknowledgement is a simple way of resisting the erasure of Indigenous histories and working towards honoring and inviting the truth. Individually, Id been thinking about this for a couple years before this before we started working together so there are folks who care about similar issues. In AIIS, we push Michigan State University to recruit, retain, and support American Indian and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. By recognizing the ways that settler-colonial institutions benefit from these interconnected histories, we work to hold the University accountable. The statement serves as a reminder that the land we occupy is stolen and that we should honor the people who occupied and stewarded before us. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan.In recognizing the history and respecting the sovereignty of Michigans Indian Nations, Oakland University honors the heritage of Indigenous communities and their significant role in shaping the course of this region. Taking from our roots as a Mercy and Jesuit university, we are committed to justice and reconciliation for our Native neighbors. Acknowledgement is a simple way of resisting the erasure of Indigenous histories and working towards honoring and inviting the truth. Land acknowledgments are now routine in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and are becoming increasingly prevalent in progressive spaces in the US. It was presented to the OU Board of Trustees at their April 8 meeting. Rather, those critical of these statements emphasize that they should be seen as a starting point in a larger effort to understand the histories and realities of Indigenous people and to commit to change. Its not about the verbiage, she says. But while land acknowledgments are usually well-intentioned, some Indigenous scholars and leaders say that the ways they are sometimes executed by non-Natives can seem hollow, performative and ultimately, problematic. Most of this work was actually teaching educating those in leadership positions who Native Peoples of Michigan are., , our vice president for Student Affairs, and also our chief diversity officer, to really see how we can engage folks within the community, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, said. It is up to you how you feel your acknowledgement should be carried out. We are still here. Though Indigenous communities have practiced land acknowledgments for generations, Westerners have only recently adopted the custom. In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade just featured a native land acknowledgment. Widely supported throughout the university, the statement reflects the values at the heart of OUs continual engagement to shape a more knowledgeable, diverse and fair society. Native Governance Center, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help tribal nations strengthen their governance systems and their capacity to exercise sovereignty, began developing resources on how to put together a land acknowledgment a few years ago as it noticed more people in the US talking about the issue. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. Having a Land Acknowledgement is only one step toward building relationships with Native communities. Professor, English Dept. The land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. Indigenous activists protest the construction of the Line 3 pipeline in Solway, Minnesota on June 7, 2021. But the map only includes the names of those tribes, without the history or context around potentially contested claims to the land. Land Acknowledgement Statement Oakland University resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabe, known as the Three Fires Confederacy, comprised of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. I really hope that Native issues are centered in classroom conversations and that more students and faculty understand the history of this land and how it continues to impact their own relationships with Native lands. We recognize that Land Acknowledgements must be preceded and followed with ongoing and unwavering commitments to American Indian and Indigenous communities. The inception of the land acknowledgement was actually work that OU graduate Tara Maudrie (tribal affiliation Sault Sainte Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians) turned in for a course with Honors College Dean Graeme Harper. Learning the importance of honoring and acknowledging the land on which you live, work and play. Learn more about Stanford's history with the Ohlone, Stanfords Relationships with Native Peoples, Beyond the Land Acknowledgment: College "LAND BACK" or Free Tuition for Native Students. -The Address/City/State. Likewise, we recognize that parts of what is now Michigan includes Land within the traditional Homelands of the Miami, Meskwaki, Sauk, Kickapoo, Menominee, and other Indigenous nations. The importance of land acknowledgments for non-indigenous individuals and communities relies on the recognition of their relationship to the original inhabitants of a location and to the land. What's wrong with land acknowledgments, and how to make them better | CBC News Loaded. Deel-McKenzie says a land acknowledgment should be seen as a first step one that must be followed by a call to action. Land acknowledgments can be a good way for people to learn more about Indigenous history and can signal respect for tribal nations. We worked to ensure that the Land Acknowledgement spoke up for the land, and for the living work and experiences of Indigenous peoples of Waawiantanong (Detroit), Peiser said. We receive countless inquiries on acknowledgements daily and request that those looking to make land acknowledgements first try to construct their own before contacting Duwamish Tribal Services for comments or help. "A starting point would be to initiate some kind of sustainable relationship with the people that you're going to be acknowledging," said George. Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. For anyone interested in advocating for Indigenous people, the main advice from the committee is to find people and collaborate. The Land Acknowledgement Committee worked with Deans Joe Shively and Kevin Corcoran in the College of Arts and Sciences, Faculty Senate, and the DEI Office, Peiser said.