Personalizing Land Acknowledgements

Often, land or Treaty acknowledgements can seem performative and ingenuine in nature. Many institutions and organizations have developed acknowledgements that are applied in almost every circumstance related to internal and external engagement. It is our intention to avoid these monotonous demonstrations, and we would highly encourage participants of Treaty or land acknowledgments do so from a place of genuine respect, understanding, and obligation; to the territories that have been traditionally and contemporarily occupied by a variety of Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit since time immemorial. Today, we all now share these lands and territories, so it is important to understand that We are all Treaty people, each of us obligated to the true spiritual intent of our Treaty territories.

Goals

1. Understand why personalizing land acknowledgements can be more genuine.
2. Create your own personalized land acknowledgement.

How-to-guide

In order to reflect the spirit of the Treaties, and to create safe, meaningful and trusting spaces, we believe that every effort be made to personalize your statement to better reflect individual obligations to Treaty lands, to avoid the performative nature that can arise with generic acknowledgements. A meaningful acknowledgement must come from the heart of the individual, and it requires a conscious effort to reflect on the ways in which we have all individually benefitted from the territories and lands we visit or occupy. This is the true spirit and intent of Treaty, and it requires that we all consider what it means to be Treaty people and partners. We also recognize, and emphasize, that land and territory acknowledgements are not a new practice and represent an “old tradition,” whereby visitors to new territories “demonstrate and pay homage to the First Nations people you are engaging.” (Land Acknowledgement, 2023) 

As a starting place, you can always refer to NorQuest’s acknowledgment procedures, but whenever possible, attempt to personalize your statement to demonstrate your courage, humility, and recognizing the harms and injustices caused by settler, and ongoing, colonization. As an example of what a more personal acknowledgment can look like, please refer to the following:

“As a settler on Amiskwaciwâskahikan colonially known as Edmonton, I acknowledge my absolute privilege of being able to live and make a living on stolen land through the active colonial displacement and genocide of Indigenous peoples by settlers. This is a land that is continually experiencing the effects of systemic, colonial, and intergenerational damages from those who came to this land and those who now call this land their home” (J. Legaspi, personal communication, May 5, 2023).

*“Please note that there are no explicit guidelines or directions for how to achieve a perfect Land Acknowledgement, there is only heart, truth, acceptance and openness when you are delivering it to others.” (Land Acknowledgements, 2023)

NorQuest College Treaty 6 territory acknowledgment procedure

Written Land Acknowledgement 

tansi, edląnet'e, oki, âba wathtech, aaniin. 

For thousands of years prior to the signing of the Treaties, Indigenous Peoples lived and thrived on these lands known as Turtle Island. This name reflects the interconnectedness of all living beings (wahkohtowin), with the land being a place of relationship, learning, and shared responsibility. 

We honour the spirit of peace and friendship embodied in Treaty 6 territory, where Indigenous traditions, languages, worldviews, and cultures continue to this day. Our partnerships and education serve neighbouring Treaties 7 and 8, along with Métis Districts and settlements across Alberta. These lands are the traditional territories of the néhiyaw (Cree), Dene, Nakota Sioux, Nakoda (Stoney), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Saulteaux and Métis Peoples. This land has been the home and gathering place for many distinct Nations since time immemorial, and home for the Métis and Inuit Peoples of the North.  

NorQuest College is dedicated to ensuring that the spirit of the Treaties is honoured and respected. 

Spoken Land Acknowledgement 

For thousands of years prior to the signing of the Treaties, Indigenous Peoples lived and thrived on these lands known as Turtle Island. This name reflects the interconnectedness of all living beings— wahkohtowin (wah-KOH-toe-win)—with the land being a place of relationship, learning, and shared responsibility. 

We honour the spirit of peace and friendship embodied in Treaty 6 territory, where Indigenous traditions, languages, worldviews, and cultures continue to this day. Our partnerships and education serve neighbouring Treaties 7 and 8, along with Métis Districts and settlements across Alberta. These lands are the traditional territories of the Cree, Dene (DEN-ay), Nakota Sioux (Soo), Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, Saulteaux (SOE-toe) and Métis Peoples. This land has been the home and gathering place for many distinct Nations since time immemorial, and home for the Métis and Inuit Peoples of the North.  

NorQuest College is dedicated to ensuring that the spirit of the Treaties is honoured and respected. 

Resources

References

Land Acknowledgement. (2023, May 5).

Treaty 6 Territory Acknowledgement Procedure. (2023, May 5). NorQuest College. 

Authors

Written by: Darrion Letendre (InSTEM and Land Based Learning Program Coordinator), Jeanien Bell (Program Chair, Indigenous Studies), Justin Shupack (Manager, Indigenous House of Learning), Kendra Lightning (Decolonial Indigenization, Academic Advisor)