What is a Land Acknowledgment?
A Land Acknowledgment is a simple, powerful way of showing respect
and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s
history and culture and toward inviting and honoring the truth. Acknowledgment by
itself is a small gesture. It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships
and informed action. But this beginning can be an opening to greater public consciousness
of Native sovereignty and cultural rights, a step toward equitable relationship and
reconciliation (U.S. Department of Arts and Culture Honor Native Land Guide, 2017)
The following video accompanies the USDAC’s #HonorNativeLand—a guide and call-to-action (see the More Resources section below) to spread the practice of acknowledgment of traditional Native lands at the opening of all public gatherings.
More Resources:
- Muwekma Ohlone SJSU Area Land Acknowledgement Pronounciation Guide
- Whose land am I on?
- Text your zip code to (855) 917-5263
- Facebook Messenger bot
- Native Land Interactive Map
- Native Land Territory Acknowledgement Guide
- Article addressing the challenges and possible problems associated with the practice of Land Acknowledgements
- Academic Senate of the California State University System Land Acknowledgement [pdf]
- USDAC Honor Native Land: A guide and call to acknowledgment
