Reflecting on Land: Meaningful Land Acknowledgments

Why Land Acknowledgments?

Over the past three months, members from the Anti-Racism & Decolonization LAT are committed to taking action to deepening learning and remain accountable in the community of the issue of anti-racism and decolonization one of CDLI’s core values. One of the ways the learning and accountability circle is seeking to support a deeper understanding is by hosting a community workshop to support those who identify as settlers to develop meaningful Land Acknowledgements.

Upon our group reflections, we wanted to take a humble posture, asking ourselves and reflect on our r connection to the land and what that means for us to be in right relationship with the land and the Indigenous caretakers of this Treaty 7 and Turtle Island (Canada).

The Learning and Accountability Circle discussed emerging ideas and themes on why we want to support a community workshop based on Land Acknowledgements,

  • Not being performative when sharing land acknowledgements

  • Committing to the ongoing practice of learning

  • That our history, familial legacies and connection to the land as Settlers are not as deep as those who have Indigenous rights to land - our roots are limited

  • Preparing and demonstrating what it means to provide a Land Acknowledgments should be a common practice by a settler as initial steps to show their commitment to the efforts of decolonization

  • Indigenous people shouldn’t always have to teach non-Indigenous people

Together join with us on May 8, for the first workshop in a series of learnings Reflecting on Land: Meaningful Land Acknowledgements.

Curios to learn more about Indigenous land, treaties and language check out native-land.ca