Understanding land acknowledgments: Here’s what you need to know

If you’ve been to a public event in Canada, chances are you’ve heard a land acknowledgement. From conferences and festivals to mayor’s speeches and school graduations, these statements are becoming more and more common. You may have also seen organizations and businesses releasing statements that begin with “we would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories of…” followed by the name of a local Indigenous nation.

These are called “land acknowledgements” and they are part of a push to increase awareness of Canada’s colonial history and the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous peoples. Here is everything you need to know about land acknowledgements.

Land Acknowledgements Signal a Shift in Thinking

For many years, Canada’s colonial history was one of forgetting. Our schools taught very little about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples, and many people grew up without ever learning about the inequities that continue to this day. As such, land acknowledgments were not part of Canadian society. The thinking was that Indigenous peoples were simply occupying space that was rightfully owned by settlers. However, there has been a shift in thinking in recent years and now there is a growing recognition of the fact that Indigenous peoples have been living on this land for millennia and that it was never unoccupied.

As stated by Dr. Bikarfwo Nsimba in an interview with CBC News, “it is important for all Canadians – Indigenous or not – to have some knowledge about our country’s true history. When we understand that this is not just ’empty land’ but rather occupied ancestral territories with complex social structures dating back thousands of years, then perhaps we can start developing more respect for one another.”

Reconciliation Requires Acknowledging the Past

Part of the reason why land acknowledgments have become more commonplace is because of the Canadian government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC was set up to document the histories and experiences of Residential School survivors. One of the key calls to action from the TRC was for all Canadians to learn about the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples.

How to Acknowledge Indigenous Land

Land Acknowledgments Help Us Move Forward Together

Tanya Talaga, an Anishinaabe journalist, writes that “awareness leads to education, which then leads to understanding.” When we make an effort to learn about the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples, it creates opportunities for dialogue and relationships built on mutual respect. It also helps to create inclusive workplaces and communities.

How to Acknowledge Indigenous Land

Land acknowledgments are statements released by organizations and businesses that begin with “we would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories of…” followed by the name of a local Indigenous Nation. These statements are part of a push to increase awareness of Canada’s colonial history and the ongoing dispossession of Indigenous peoples. By learning about the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples, we can move forward together in reconciliation.

If you’re interested in acknowledging the traditional lands on which your business operates, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you involve local Indigenous Nations in developing your statement. Secondly, ensure that your statement is included prominently at all public events –for example, on your website, in your marketing materials, or at the beginning of presentations. And finally, avoid using generic phrases such as “the original people” or “the first inhabitants”; instead, use specific Nation names whenever possible.

Land acknowledgements are important statements that help us remember and reconcile Canada’s colonial history. By involving local Indigenous Nations in their development, ensuring they’re included prominently at all public events, and using specific Nation names whenever possible, we can start to build a more equitable society for everyone involved.