To him, that language obscures the fact that tribal nations were sovereign over those lands and that they werent just caretakers. If spoken, the order should be: (1) Welcome and words about the event, (2) Land Acknowledgment and specific relations to individual or collective actions, (3) Move into thescheduled program. 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. [Were considering] some type of an ongoing event that would honor Native Americans Native American History Month or some other activity. It's also important to keep the wording in the present tense, she said. We want to acknowledge the history and land, and honour the Indigenous people who continue to love this land here in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan). University of Detroit Mercy, a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions, 4001 W. McNichols Road Detroit, MI 48221-3038, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 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. Can you do this? We recognize that settler and Indigenous signatories understood the terms of the treaties in starkly different terms. That process of transferring control from the Indians to the non-Indians was fraught with conflict, it was violent, it involved murder in some cases and extreme pain, he says. The statement reflects the values at the heart of OUs continual engagement to shape a more knowledgeable, diverse and fair society. At every stage, whatever happened to it, whether it was a minor tweak, or a sort of bigger reorganization everybody understood that no draft moved forward without the okay of our committee.. "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 . "To speak about your territorial acknowledgment in the past continues that dominant narrative.". 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. Its not about the verbiage, she says. 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. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. 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 Further, we recognize the wrongs done to those forcibly removed from their Homelands and commit to fostering an environment of inclusion that is responsive to the needs of First Peoples through our words, policies, and actions.The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. Im working with Glenn McIntosh, 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 Britt Rios-Ellis said. Deel-McKenzie says a land acknowledgment should be seen as a first step one that must be followed by a call to action. Furthermore, it is a way to show respect and gratitude to the traditional stewards of a specific location, while recognizing that colonialism is still an ongoing process. Moreover, we affirm that Michigan State University must support Indigenous communities and nations in Michigan, as well as throughout Turtle Island, and across the Fourth World. Your acknowledgement should come from the heart, and we cannot provide you with the exact words to use. 48309-4454 WebLand Acknowledgements Map. 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. 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. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. 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. But while some tribes might agree with that characterization, Necefer says, others view the situation differently: Rather than land belonging to people, people belong to the land. For Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin elder from Kitigan Zibi, Que., the issue boils down to the concept of land back. A Warner Bros. Filming at the Hall Some land acknowledgments also fail to acknowledge the traumas that accompanied Native people being removed from their lands, Lambert adds. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. In other cases, land acknowledgments might refer to stolen land a seemingly well-intentioned phrase designed to convey how Native people were driven from their homes. The purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. 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. "I don't tell people which word to use, but I ask them to consider each word critically," said Nahanee, founder and CEO of the Vancouver-based business Nahanee Creative, a company that provides education and awareness to promote social change. This is important when extending and personalizing a given acknowledgment statement. 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. 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. It could be as simple as saying, This event is taking place on the traditional lands of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. It could take a more specific approach, such as We recognize the sustained oppression, land dispossession, and involuntary removals of the Muscogee and Cherokee peoples from Georgia and the Southeast On social media, it might show up as a red pushpin emoji, followed by the name of the tribe whose homelands one is on. Britt Rios-Ellis, Executive VP, Academic Affairs & ProvostGlenn McIntosh, Senior VP, Student Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer, Native American Advisory Committee - OU Representatives, Oakland University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Plan, Amy Banes-Berceli (Interim Associate Provost, Operations), Ashleigh Dubie (Cherokee, English-STEP Student, Land Acknowledgment Committee), Andrea Knutson (Associate Professor, English, Land Acknowledgment Committee), Megan Peiser (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Assistant Professor of English, Land Acknowledgment Committee), Mozghon Rajaee (Assistant Professor, Dept. -The Institution Type. 312 Meadow Brook Rd 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. -The Title and/or Text of the Land Acknowledgement (if applicable). Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 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. U.S. Department of Arts and Culture: A Guide And Call To Acknowledgement, Teen Vogue: Indigenous Land Acknowledgement, Explained. 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). 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. WebResource Map - Land Acknowledgements. 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 This is important when extending and personalizing a given acknowledgment statement. 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. Copyright Duwamish Tribal Services, 2018. 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. WebResource Map - Land Acknowledgements. The phrase on stolen land can unknowingly erase these cultural views.. "Are they ready to give us back our land? During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. The University of Detroit Mercy operates on the land known as Waawiiyaatanong. When it comes to action, Kahsennoktha George wants to see companies and institutions participating in systemic change. We want to acknowledge the history and land, and honour the Indigenous people who continue to love this land here in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan). All Rights Reserved. Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. -The Institution Type 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. 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.. Professor, Health Sciences), Kevin Corcoran (Dean, College of Arts and Sciences), Cynthia Miree-Coppin (Faculty Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee), Joi Cunningham (Provosts Office), and the OU Senate committee (chaired by Jason Wasserman) for leading the effort to establish the OU Land Acknowledgement Statement, which 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. After all, when did celebrating birthdays became a thing? It was presented to the OU Board of Trustees at their April 8 meeting. 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. Deel-McKenzie says a land acknowledgment should be seen as a first step one that must be followed by a call to action. 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. ), Ashleigh Dubie (Cherokee, English/STEP, student), Megan Peiser (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Asst. We acknowledge that this land was colonized via the Treaty of Detroit in 1807. Web*Land acknowledgement: Detroit occupies the contemporary and ancestral homelands of three Anishinaabe nations of the Council of Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi. It is important the statement honors and names the communities, and recognizes the occupied or unceded nature and history of the land. 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. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. The land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. Oakland Center, Suite 150 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. To ensure they achieved their goals, the group made the language tangible by acknowledging specific Indigenous communities and accurately reflecting history. Wed like to extend special appreciation to Andrea Knutson (Assoc. That doesn't always have to be something that is public, either, he said. In offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty, history and experiences., Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. She views them asopening the door toward decolonizing practices, reconciliation, or bridging awareness into action. Required fields are marked *, The people behind OUs Land Acknowledgement Statement, Sault Sainte Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, American Indian Health and Family Services. In particular, the university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. How does our curriculum and our community engagement recognize, include, and connect with indigenous people in our community? 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. 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. 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. ) Nation recognize that settler and Indigenous signatories understood the terms of the entities analyzed the... Your Acknowledgement should come from the heart, and we can not provide you with the exact to. Of an ongoing event that would honor Native Americans Native American history Month or some other activity to about! Werent just caretakers: a Guide and call to Acknowledgement, Explained and signatories. U.S. Department of Arts and Culture: a Guide and call to action, Kahsennoktha George wants to companies! 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