We affirm Indigenous sovereignty and hold Michigan State University accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples. 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. These statements, known as land acknowledgments, are an attempt to address the past, present and future of a particular location as it relates to Indigenous peoples as well as to understand ones own place within it. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. That doesn't always have to be something that is public, either, he said. -The Institution's/Entity's Name Your acknowledgement should come from the heart, and we cannot provide you with the exact words to use. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. There has to be absolute action behind it," she said. This statement can be present in your syllabus, read before presentations, or events. That also means taking the time to research specific names of nations rather than sweeping generalizations, and being cautious of subtext. King said some of the problems he sees in Toronto is thatland acknowledgments are simply inaccurate, include the same nation multiple times under different terms, or misinterpret treaty conceptssuch as the Dish With One Spoon into a metaphor of a "multicultural utopia.". Required fields are marked *, The people behind OUs Land Acknowledgement Statement, Sault Sainte Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, American Indian Health and Family Services. Land acknowledgments are generally meant to acknowledge the Indigenous history of the land one is on. This is important when extending and personalizing a given acknowledgment statement. Consistent with our values of community and inclusion, we have a responsibility to acknowledge, honor and makevisible the universitys relationship to Native peoples. 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). In American Indian and Indigenous Studies, we recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigans twelve federally-recognized Indian nations (Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Hannahville Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, and Sault Ste. The statement reflects the values at the heart of OUs continual engagement to shape a more knowledgeable, diverse and fair society. Address: 4705 W Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106, Tuesday 10AM5PMWednesday 10AM5PMThursday 10AM5PMFriday 10AM5PMSaturday 10AM5PMSunday ClosedMonday Closed. In AIIS, we push Michigan State University to recruit, retain, and support American Indian and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. (248) 370-3496 In particular, the university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. We collectively understand that offering Land Acknowledgements or Land Recognitions do not absolve settler-colonial privilege or diminish colonial structures of violence, at either the individual or institutional level. Did you encounter any technical issues? It's something he saidhe now regrets. [Were considering] some type of an ongoing event that would honor Native Americans Native American History Month or some other activity. 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. 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. 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. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Giving a land acknowledgement requires research and reflection to understand the historical and contemporary Indigenous communities having a relationship with the land. We recognize that settler and Indigenous signatories understood the terms of the treaties in starkly different terms. WebThe purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. Some of the tribes listed are functionally extinct, he says, and are grouped in with nations that continue to exist in the area. Its important people understand that when you put that upon Indigenous people, it can create a lot of additional stress on Native peoples and Native organizations., Larry Chavis, former director of UNCs American Indian Center, put it like this at a faculty council meeting after being asked to write a land acknowledgment for the university: Its like me writing my own thank you note for a gift that was taken from me.. I think that Indians would say, We want the land back.. 2:08 PM EST, Mon November 22, 2021. Interactions between the two sides during negotiations were collaborative and respectful. 8. WebThe purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. The Land Acknowledgement Committee worked with Deans Joe Shively and Kevin Corcoran in the College of Arts and Sciences, Faculty Senate, and the DEI Office, Peiser said. (Native Lands Digital, which did not immediately respond to questions from CNN, says in a disclaimer on the site that the map is not perfect and is a work in progress.) 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. WebResource Map - Land Acknowledgements. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. We worked to ensure that the Land Acknowledgement spoke up for the land, and for the living work and experiences of Indigenous peoples of Waawiantanong (Detroit), Peiser said. Here is an additional example of a Duwamish land acknowledgement painted on the side of Seattle Mennonite Church in North Seattle: We at Seattle Mennonite church acknowledge that we are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Duwamish people. -Laurier Students Public Interest Research Group, Ontario, Canada. 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. "Not just saying that we're scoring a brownie point on our Truth andReconciliation Commission report card. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. 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. For Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin elder from Kitigan Zibi, Que., the issue boils down to the concept of land back. 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. Challenge Detroit 2023-2024 Fellowship Job Opportunity, MSU College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (CANR), MSU in the 313 Pre College Summer Experience Scholarship, UOE Lunch and Learn - Native American Institute, James Madison College - Black History Month symposium, Subscribe to get information about our events and activities by e-mail. Lambert, associate professor of African Studies and Anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says such statements often refer to Indigenous peoples as the original stewards or custodians of land that is now occupied by another entity. How does our curriculum and our community engagement recognize, include, and connect with indigenous people in our community? Despite the problems with land acknowledgments, George wants people to continue making them. Thats often how it can come off.. 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 8. "You wouldn't say, 'I acknowledge that my hair is brown, my eyes brown.' 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. Likewise, we recognize that parts of what is now Michigan includes Land within the traditional Homelands of the Miami, Meskwaki, Sauk, Kickapoo, Menominee, and other Indigenous nations. We also acknowledge the Mtis community who were forced from their community on Bootaaganini-minis (Drummond Island), when the border was drawn between the US and Canada. We want to acknowledge the history and land, and honour the Indigenous people who continue to love this land here in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan). WebA Land Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the people groups who originally stewarded the land prior to its colonization. In an era of reconciliation, land acknowledgments are meant to recognize First Nations, Inuit and Mtis territory, but many Indigenous people argue theyve grown to become superficial, performative and problematic. "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 . "A tool of colonialism is to keep us in the past tense," said Nahanee. After all, when did celebrating birthdays became a thing? 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. 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. Reflect on the kind of engagement you have with these groups and recognize your positionality in relation to that land. 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. 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. "I want people to be able to back up what you're saying, truly believe in it, and be ready to answer the question when someone criticizes you.". We receive countless inquiries on acknowledgements daily and request that those looking to make land acknowledgements first try to construct their own before contacting Duwamish Tribal Services for comments or help. WebA Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. 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 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. WebA Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. Most of this work was actually teaching educating those in leadership positions who Native Peoples of Michigan are.. WebLand Acknowledgement Statement. -The Institution Type. "To speak about your territorial acknowledgment in the past continues that dominant narrative.". Im not Indigenous, and Andrea is not. Discovery Company. Its a view shared by many Indigenous scholars and activists, though they might have different ideas on what constitutes sufficient action. All Rights Reserved. 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. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. I could see that people are just copying and pasting this stuff without really looking into the details, Necefer tells CNN. Landscapess elements make up the blood, bone, and flesh that animate our bodies. 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. He was calling from his mothers house in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which Navajos have considered their homelands for centuries. A land acknowledgment might be spoken before a public gathering or issued as a written statement by an institution. Its about the action that needs to happen.. Universities around the state and country have issued similar land acknowledgement statements. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. -The Address/City/State 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. If you are struggling to find the words to acknowledge the Duwamish Tribe, please visit the Real Rent Duwamish page by CLICKING HERE for resources and more information on the importance of land acknowledgement. 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 "Are they ready to give us back our land? 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. "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?" And once you start getting together, you can start making things happen., Positive space: Singer, actress Kennedy Vernengo, How students are celebrating Valentines Day. It had to go slowly. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. -The Institution Type. "It's still the beginning of some kind of conversation," she said. Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. The statement also serves as a reminder to connect with those people groups in tangible ways. By clicking on each plotted point, you can access basic Land Acknowledgement data: -The Institution's/Entity's Name. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. To him, that language obscures the fact that tribal nations were sovereign over those lands and that they werent just caretakers. WebResource Map - Land Acknowledgements. 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. Eds. Another issue that Deel-McKenzie observed was that many people seemed too caught up in the particulars of the statements wording, without enough consideration on how they planned to support Indigenous communities moving forward. We greatly appreciate the increased interest in this traditional practice, but the large volume of inquiries received does not always allow us to respond in a timely manner. Hours:Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Wednesdays with extended hours 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. Hayden King, who is Anishinaabe fromBeausoleil First Nation in Ontario,helped write Ryerson University's land acknowledgment in 2012. 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