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 By clicking on each plotted point, you can access basic Land Acknowledgement data: -The Institution's/Entity's Name. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. -The Address/City/State. 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. 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. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Including Mead, It may be dreary out today, but it won't be long b, A Servants Life: Special Downton Abbey Tour. That also means taking the time to research specific names of nations rather than sweeping generalizations, and being cautious of subtext. "It's still the beginning of some kind of conversation," she said. Acknowledgement can be a thank you or an honoring. Required fields are marked *, The people behind OUs Land Acknowledgement Statement, Sault Sainte Marie tribe of Chippewa Indians, American Indian Health and Family Services. Professor, English Dept. The purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. Widely supported throughout the university, the statement reflects the values at the heart of OUs continual engagement to shape a more knowledgeable, diverse and fair society. This is important when extending and personalizing a given acknowledgment statement. 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. The statement serves as a reminder that the land we occupy is stolen and that we should honor the 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. Despite the problems with land acknowledgments, George wants people to continue making them. But while land acknowledgments are usually well-intentioned, some Indigenous scholars and leaders say that the ways they are sometimes executed by non-Natives can seem hollow, performative and ultimately, problematic. Although land acknowledgements are powerful statements, they are only meaningful when they are coupled with authentic and sustained relationships with Indigenous communities and community-informed actions. The land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. Published Though Indigenous communities have practiced land acknowledgments for generations, Westerners have only recently adopted the custom. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. 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. -The Address/City/State. 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. 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). 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 about the action that needs to happen.. 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. 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. 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.. We want to acknowledge the history and land, and honour the Indigenous people who continue to love this land here in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan). Meadow Brook Staff In AIIS, we push Michigan State University to recruit, retain, and support American Indian and Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. 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. We want to acknowledge the history and land, and honour the Indigenous people who continue to love this land here in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan). We acknowledge the real ways that the State of Michigan, Michigan State University, and residents of this Land have benefitted from the forced and systematic removal of Anishinaabeg and other Indigenous peoples from Michigan, particularly during the Indian Removal period of the nineteenth century. Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. Did you encounter any technical issues? It is up to you how you feel your acknowledgement should be carried out. 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. Check out our land acknowledgment event livestream, and hear his comments at the 27-minute mark. She then sent it to me I posted it on Facebook, and thats when Professor Rajaee responded telling me Tara was a student of hers and that we should talk about getting it formally adopted.. We acknowledge that Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. This statement can be used as is or if you can find ways to connect it to your specific field of study you may do so. 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.. 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 land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. -The Institution's/Entity's Name The university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. "There's a sort of historical untangling that's required to do this right, well and in a genuine way," he said. oakland university school of health sciences. The statement also serves as a reminder to connect with those people groups in tangible ways. 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 addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. The land acknowledgement passed through the OU Senate on Feb. 18, and was presented to the Board of Trustees on Apr. 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. I could see that people are just copying and pasting this stuff without really looking into the details, Necefer tells CNN. Following the 2018 LMDA conference in Toronto -- The best way to create an appropriate land acknowledgement is to consult and collaborate local Tribal leaders, which Stanford University has donethrough the Native American Cultural Center, the university archaeologist's office, and the university president's office. Copyright Duwamish Tribal Services, 2018. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan.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. We promise to do a better job in the future, says Lambert, who is an enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Taking from our roots as a Mercy and Jesuit university, we are committed to justice and reconciliation for our Native neighbors. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. 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.. -The Institution Type. 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. By recognizing the ways that settler-colonial institutions benefit from these interconnected histories, we work to hold the University accountable. 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. Web*Land acknowledgement: Detroit occupies the contemporary and ancestral homelands of three Anishinaabe nations of the Council of Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi. 2023 Indigenous Land and Territorial Acknowledgements for Institutions, Indigenous Land and Territorial Acknowledgements for Institutions. 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. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. Some land acknowledgments also fail to acknowledge the traumas that accompanied Native people being removed from their lands, Lambert adds. 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. We didnt want a watered-down generic statement thats more harmful than not having one at all.. 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. Heres why some take issue with land acknowledgments and what they say needs to happen for real repair and reconciliation to occur. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten. The statement serves as a reminder that the land we occupy is stolen and that we should honor the The purpose of this statement of acknowledgement is to remind us to continue to be mindful and respectful of the history of this land. It's also important to keep the wording in the present tense, she said. 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 Web*Land acknowledgement: Detroit occupies the contemporary and ancestral homelands of three Anishinaabe nations of the Council of Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi. During the past several months, a group of faculty, students and administrators have collaborated to draft the Land Acknowledgement Statement. It could involve showing up to demonstrations led by Indigenous people in the area. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. The Stanford Native American Cultural Centerdescribes the history of the land where the main campus was built as well as information about the current presences of different tribal members on campus. Individually, Id been thinking about this for a couple years before this before we started working together so there are folks who care about similar issues. It had to go slowly. WebWe recognize that Land Acknowledgements must be preceded and followed with ongoing and unwavering commitments to American Indian and Indigenous communities. The analysis of this data, or separate/individual entries, can be found in the Land Acknowledgement database. 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. He was calling from his mothers house in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which Navajos have considered their homelands for centuries. King wants to see institutions, organizations, or whoever plans on making a land acknowledgment to collaborate with and support Indigenous communities. Reflect on the kind of engagement you have with these groups and recognize your positionality in relation to that land. With that bigger picture in mind, this core four of Knutson, Peiser, Rajaee and Dubie continued the delicate work of drafting the statement. So for this issue, we begin by doing a territory acknowledgement for the place from which the magazine comes. Filming at the Hall WebLand Acknowledgement Statement. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan. The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. A land acknowledgmentis a traditional custom in many Native communities and nations to show respect to the people of the land since time immemorial. It is important the statement honors and names the communities, and recognizes the occupied or unceded nature and history of the land. Hours, Directions & Parking "A land acknowledgment should be an obligation," said King. 48309-4454 Your acknowledgement should come from the heart, and we cannot provide you with the exact words to use. 8. 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. Another action it proposes is voluntary land taxes regular payments that go directly toward Native nations or organizations in the area. Its very rooted in history, tribal identity, tribal names [and] location, which is what we really wanted, Dubie said. King wants to see institutions, organizations, or whoever plans on making a land acknowledgment to collaborate with and support Indigenous communities. 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. "Not just saying that we're scoring a brownie point on our Truth andReconciliation Commission report card. 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. "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. For universities, it might be offering free tuition for Indigenous students, and for corporations, it might be committing to hire Native people in leadership positions. Like King, Saulis said she's personally not a fan of land acknowledgments because of their performative nature. Right now the administration is working on completing and expanding those goals. Acknowledgement is a simple way of resisting the erasure of Indigenous histories and working towards honoring and inviting the truth. 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). They've become so commonplace that you'll hear land acknowledgments at the start of hockey games, during academic conferencesand even written at the bottom of corporate email signatures. This land was and continues to be of great importance to the Ohlone people. 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. While the process of getting the statement enacted progressed through the OU administration relatively quickly during the winter semester, years of work went on behind the scenes. But it struck him that many Pueblos in the area would dispute those claims and a brief land acknowledgment would oversimplify what was actually a complex and contested history. 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. Professor, English Dept. We invite the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability community to actively participate in these acts of respect, by getting to know better the history and present context of the Indigenous communities of the land where you live, study, and work. This map represents the location and geographic spread of the entities analyzed through the survey. 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 Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage we work to hold university... 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