This post is the story of my introduction to Land Acknowledgment statements. My opinion of them has shifted over time as I’ve read multiple perspectives from both Native and non-Native people. Along the way, I’ve tried to express my love for the land as a non-Native white American, in a way that doesn’t diminish Native Peoples’ experience.
At the end of this post, I’ll share my personal Land Acknowledgment statement and resources for writing your own sincere Land Acknowledgment.
My Introduction to Acknowledgment of Country
It was early December, our first year in Australia. We’d been living there for over six months, but still experiencing some culture shock. It was hot, the Jacarandas were in full bloom, and it was nearing the end of school Term 4 and the 6 week summer holiday to follow. Everything still felt wacky to us, with summer in December, the sun in the North, and sentences full of words like arvo, brolly, and esky. (In case you’re wondering, those translate to afternoon, umbrella, and cooler.)
One familiar event, having done it plenty of times back home in the States, was attending an end-of-year music program for our kids’ school. But it turned out we had another cultural difference in store.
We arrived at the cinema and found our seats. When the curtains opened and the principal walked out on stage to welcome us, the words she spoke had an unexpected impact on me.
I don’t remember her exact words, but I’m sure it went something like this:
“We begin today by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with us here today.”
Typical Australian Acknowledgment of Country
Those words struck a chord with me. They seemed so right and profound and beautiful, and nothing like I’d ever heard in my home country. I remember tearing up at the sentiment. In that moment I loved and appreciated Australia more than ever—not for the idyllic beaches and gum-tree-dotted hills, but for its cultural awareness, respect, and acknowledgment of the land and its Native Peoples.
What I didn’t know but soon figured out, is that this statement is called an Acknowledgment of Country. It’s given at the start of nearly all public gatherings, meetings, and events in Australia.
I’m ashamed to admit that I had never heard of such a thing before. But upon returning to the States, I’ve learned that we have a similar statement, called a Land Acknowledgment, that organizations and individuals sometimes make at the beginning of meetings, gatherings, and events.
The purpose and format of Land Acknowledgment statements in the US are similar to Australia’s Acknowledgment of Country.
The Controversy Over Land Acknowledgment Statements
I’ve learned that in the US (and probably in other countries too) Land Acknowledgment can be controversial.
Some feel that Land Acknowledgments are just a way for the speaker to position themselves on a moral high ground, but take no real action to make amends or elevate Native communities.
My Response to This Criticism
At first, when I heard this criticism, I felt defensive. How can someone criticize me for acknowledging First Nations, I wondered? Isn’t this a good thing? A way to increase awareness? A first step toward making amends?
But then I read more about the objections and tried thinking about it from a Native Person’s perspective. Their ancestors were subject to the theft of their homeland, the destruction of their civilizations, and the genocide of their people. The impact of these egregious acts extends through generations, to the present, and into the future. Much of their cultures were erased, and their family trees were cut short. As a result, First Nations People are often underprivileged minorities living in a country of immigrants, with little sovereignty of their own.
If I had this heritage in a world of people who act as if it never happened, except now and then dropping a required and probably boilerplate Land Acknowledgment statement, I would have this reaction, too.
The tragic history of our country may not be the fault of anyone alive today, but it is our responsibility to make amends, regardless.
The Problem With Many Land Acknowledgment Statements
The objection many seem to have with Land Acknowledgments isn’t with making a statement, but the lack of any further effort beyond the statement, such as supporting indigenous community causes, being aware of and conscientiously voting on pertinent political issues, and learning and spreading accurate histories of the land, First Nation peoples, and the realities of colonization.
Should I Write A Land Acknowledgment Statement?
I get the sentiment behind these criticisms that Land Acknowledgments can do more harm than good, and so I want to be careful in crafting my own.
I think the harm comes when organizations appear to use Land Acknowledgments to get social justice points rather than out of a sincere motivation to respect and benefit First Nation communities. At their worst, these statements can have the effect of sweeping the issue under the rug, effectively erasing Native cultures.
It’s especially harmful when large organizations with access to resources don’t back up their statement with actions, such as universities waiving tuition for Native students, or returning land to tribes.
Recognition of this issue has helped me to reconcile my desire to create my land acknowledgment statement with my fear of stepping into something I don’t understand and offending First Nations People, or, worse, causing them harm.
As an individual with limited resources, I can’t do much directly to benefit Native communities. What I can do is educate myself and talk to others about what I learn. I can shine a light on the issues.
So here is my personal Land Acknowledgment statement. It’s a work in progress, and I’m open to constructive criticism, particularly from Native voices.
My Land Acknowledgment Statement
I acknowledge that the land on which I live–within the Boise River Valley–is the traditional and unceded territory of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes, who occupied the region since time immemorial, and, following the signing of an unratified treaty, were forcibly removed in a trail of tears to the Fort Hall Reservation by the United States government in 1869.
I recognize the Shoshone-Bannock tribes, their Elders past and present, and their future generations, as the traditional stewards of the land on which I live. I recognize the deep connection First Nations People have with their Native lands, and the cultural devastation wrought by its theft.
I recognize the immense injustice committed against First Nations by my colonial ancestors, and understand the need to defend their sovereignty, uphold promises, and return their land. I strive to support Native communities as we move into the future, by educating myself and using my platform to provoke others to think about the issues Native Peoples face today and how we might elevate them now and into the future.
I hope my Land Acknowledgment statement is received in the way I intended, and I am open to criticisms, corrections, and opinions to challenge my way of thinking and expressing myself on this issue.
If you’re still with me, thank you for reading to the end. I think the best thing we can do to instigate change in the world, regarding these issues and any social issue, is to educate ourselves and start conversations.
So my call to action for you today is to go learn something about the indigenous groups that once lived where you live today. And then talk to someone about what you learned, the issues I’ve discussed here today, and what we might do to make things better.
Resources
In researching this article, I found several excellent sources on the topic. They’re listed below.
Care About Climate: Five Steps to Writing A Land Acknowledgment
Nativegov.org: Beyond Land Acknowledgment: A Guide
Ecotrust: From Acknowledgment to Action
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