As a result, the organization started getting hundreds of inquiries from people who were interested in doing land acknowledgments of their own, says Apryl Deel-McKenzie, program manager for Native Governance Center. Hours, Directions & Parking 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. We recognize Michigans 12 federally recognized Native Nations, historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and those who were forcibly removed from their homelands. Its a view shared by many Indigenous scholars and activists, though they might have different ideas on what constitutes sufficient action. 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. WebFor non-Indigenous communities, land acknowledgement is a powerful way of showing respect and honoring the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which we work and live. You do not need to follow our example acknowledgement word-for-word. of Public Environmental Wellness, Land Acknowledgment Committee), Deborah Vanderlinde (Associate Professor of Music Education, School of Music, Theater, and Dance), Elizabeth Wallis (Cherokee, Associate Dean, University Libraries), Nivedita Mukherji (Interim Associate Provost, Faculty Affairs), Noelle Mongene (Anishinaabe, Graduate Student at OU). 2023 Cable News Network. Eds. 48309-4454 It feels like a box checking activity, like people are doing it to signal their politics, says Len Necefer, an Indigenous studies scholar and founder and CEO of the apparel and media company NativesOutdoors. "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. When that Campus Communications email announcement made the OU Land Acknowledgement Statement official, there was definitely a sense of pride in what had been accomplished. We pledge to elevate our ways of knowing to better reflect the sustainable practices and peaceful coexistence that has allowed our beloved university to thrive. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. WebThe Universitys endowment was originally funded in significant measure by sale of land granted under Article 16 of the 1817 Treaty of the Foot of the Rapids, also known as the Treaty of Ft. Meigs. The next step in the drafting process was collaborating with OUs administration to adjust and advance the land acknowledgement. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. Land acknowledgments can be a good way for people to learn more about Indigenous history and can signal respect for tribal nations. Rochester , 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. If we can understand that, I think the rest will come.. 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 "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 . Including Mead, It may be dreary out today, but it won't be long b, A Servants Life: Special Downton Abbey Tour. For Ta7talya Michelle Nahanee,who offers workshops on how to giveterritorial acknowledgments,land acknowledgments shouldn't be copied, pasted and read statements but rather meaningful personal commitments. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. ), Mozhgon Rajaee (Asst. Necefer, a member of the Navajo Nation, recalls a recent experience he had while on a conference call, during which each participant was asked to recognize the Indigenous people whose homelands they were calling from. -The Institution Type. It's also important to keep the wording in the present tense, she said. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. It was presented to the OU Board of Trustees at their April 8 meeting. A Warner Bros. Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. 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. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. WebResource Map - Land Acknowledgements. I think that Indians would say, We want the land back.. The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. By clicking on each plotted point, you can access basic Land Acknowledgement data: -The Institution's/Entity's Name. 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. Its not about your statement being correct. Its not about performance either. "Are they ready to give us back our land? Peiser expanded on this point and the groups mentality while crafting the language. When we die, we return to the land and turn into the trees, rocks, and water that once gave us life, he wrote in Outside. 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. But despite the flaws in some land acknowledgments, he and others say they arent suggesting that the practice be done away with altogether. In AIIS, we push Michigan State University to recruit, retain, and support American Indian and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. Taking from our roots as a Mercy and Jesuit university, we are committed to justice and reconciliation for our Native neighbors. -The Institution Type. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. 8. 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. Published We understand that there is an indelible relationship between the creation of Land Grant institutions, the simultaneous and ongoing expropriation of Indigenous Lands, and the governmentally-coordinated genocide against Indigenous peoples. The purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. And to fully fund them not ask Native faculty to beg for support Allies need to step up and take on that work. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. Necefer says his organization NativesOutdoors has moved away from the red pin emojis in social media captions that function as land acknowledgments and is instead focusing its efforts on more ambitious ways they can educate non-Native audiences about the history of the places they live. 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. 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. Though Indigenous communities have practiced land acknowledgments for generations, Westerners have only recently adopted the custom. The formal and public acknowledgement is an explicit gesture intended to cultivate a mutually beneficial dialogue, which is an essential feature in building an inclusive campus community. Its not about the verbiage, she says. By clicking on each plotted point, you can access basic Land Acknowledgement data: WebA Land Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the people groups who originally stewarded the land prior to its colonization. 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 historically marginalized from American institutions, politics and academic curriculums. If you are a member of the Duwamish Tribe, please visit our Membership page to subscribe to a separate list. WebLand Acknowledgement Statement. There has to be absolute action behind it," she said. This statement can be present in your syllabus, read before presentations, or events. The land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. Some of the tribes listed are functionally extinct, he says, and are grouped in with nations that continue to exist in the area. She is from Kanesatake in Quebecand is the ambassador and education and mobilization officer for Mikana, a non-profit organization that works for social change by educating different audiences on the realities and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Territories, Languages, and Treaties Digital Map, Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgment. This statement serves as both a reminder and a call to action to promote practices and policies that bring about equity and advancement for all people on our campus, in our community, and the world. 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. Reflect on the kind of engagement you have with these groups and recognize your positionality in relation to that land. -The Address/City/State. Some land acknowledgments also fail to acknowledge the traumas that accompanied Native people being removed from their lands, Lambert adds. We had to get language from them we had to hear what they wanted from land acknowledgements. WebWe recognize that Land Acknowledgements must be preceded and followed with ongoing and unwavering commitments to American Indian and Indigenous communities. Again, thank you to the faculty for driving this initiative, pushing for greater recognition and equity for Native peoples, engaging in our broader community, and for being invaluable partners in the ongoing development of our university. 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. 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 Address/City/State 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. WebFor non-Indigenous communities, land acknowledgement is a powerful way of showing respect and honoring the Indigenous Peoples of the land on which we work and live. By clicking on each plotted point, you can access basic Land Acknowledgement data: -The Institution's/Entity's Name. 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. We are also here to honor our Native American ancestors whose ways of knowing demonstrated reverence and respect for the land on which Oakland University and Meadow Brook Hall now stands. The Morrill Act, which enabled the Land Grant system, was passed in the same year as both the Homestead Actgranting 160 acres to individual settlers who improved and farmed land in the Westand the largest mass hanging in the history of the United States, the state-sanctioned murder of thirty-eight Dakota. The statement was approved by the OU Senate on February 18. We recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigans twelve federally-recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. oakland university school of health sciences. It had to emerge out of conversations with native communities, Knutson said. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. The statement will be displayed on the OU website, eventually integrated into courses on American history, politics, and culture, and, whenever appropriate, delivered at events. "You can have the nicest, most beautiful and most respectful land acknowledgment of all time but if you have no actions to back up your words, then why are you bothering?" Like King, Saulis said she's personally not a fan of land acknowledgments because of their performative nature. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. There was no draft that was signed off on without it going back to our committee, Knutson said. From universities to sports games to city council meetings to Twitter bios, its becoming increasingly common to see statements recognizing that the land on which one is standing once belonged to Indigenous people. By officially enacting the acknowledgement on May 5, OU joins anumber of public institutions across the country in this step toward the inclusion of Indigenous communities. "A land acknowledgment should be an obligation," said King. Adrien Pochel, who is Oji-Cree and Lakota, drums and sings during a land acknowledgement ceremony for Chicago's Field Museum on October 26, 2018. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. saidSaulis. [Were considering] some type of an ongoing event that would honor Native Americans Native American History Month or some other activity. WebLand Acknowledgement Statement. To ensure they achieved their goals, the group made the language tangible by acknowledging specific Indigenous communities and accurately reflecting history. 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. The University of Detroit Mercy operates on the land known as Waawiiyaatanong. 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 In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. That also means taking the time to research specific names of nations rather than sweeping generalizations, and being cautious of subtext. 312 Meadow Brook Rd We want to acknowledge the history and land, and honour the Indigenous people who continue to love this land here in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan). A grassroots initiative, this acknowledgement moved from students to faculty to the administration. 8. Indigenous people across the US want their land back -- and the movement is gaining momentum, If theyre going to acknowledge what happened in the transfer of this land from Indian to non-Indian control, there has to be some proactive action on the part of the institution for the aggrieved group, he said. 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. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. With that bigger picture in mind, this core four of Knutson, Peiser, Rajaee and Dubie continued the delicate work of drafting the statement. 350 Estate Drive 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.. 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. WebLand Acknowledgements Map. 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.. 2. Maudrie had graduated at that point, so Knutson and Rajaee took the next steps of bringing Indigenous voices into the process of progressing the land acknowledgement. Another action it proposes is voluntary land taxes regular payments that go directly toward Native nations or organizations in the area. WebWHEREAS, land acknowledgments serve to illuminate ongoing indigenous presence, as well as recognize and counter settler-colonial legacies of violence and land expropriation, AND WHEREAS, the purpose of these statements is to show respect and honor the indigenous peoples that this land has been home to since time immemorial,1 AND A land acknowledgement can be a few sentences or several pages. Wed like to extend special appreciation to Andrea Knutson (Assoc. Despite the problems with land acknowledgments, George wants people to continue making them. Soon Assistant Professor of English Megan Peiser (tribal affiliation Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) and English STEP student Ashleigh Dubie (tribal affiliation Cherokee) were brought on board. positionality in relation to that land. 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