Being a student in the EAP program at Georgian College, you have probably noticed that there is a video for a land acknowledgement statement in a folder called Instructor Info and Syllabus in the Course Information module in all of your Blackboard shells. What is it and why is it there?

A land acknowledgement is a statement that honours Indigenous peoples as representatives of the land with their presence and rights while recognizing the history of colonialism and a need for change in the present day. It is often presented at the beginning of a large ceremony or public event, but it can be done at any time to express gratitude for the land on which one is standing.

There is not one protocol for a “right” land acknowledgement, however there are some tips to consider when giving a statement (Native Governance Centre, 2019):

Do:

• take the time to thoughtfully prepare a land acknowledgement.
• make it meaningful. Research what Indigenous people live on the land now and in the past. Find out the history and any related treaties in your area.
• learn the proper pronunciation of tribe names and places.
• use appropriate language.
• recognize that land acknowledgements coming from an Indigenous person will be different than one coming from a non-Indigenous individual.
• talk about what the land means to you, what you are grateful for.

Don’t:

• use generalizations. Know the specific land that you are situated on and the tribes that live there.
• be critical. Use this as an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous communities today.
• ask an Indigenous individual to deliver a welcome statement.

Remember that saying a land acknowledgement can be uncomfortable, but we need to share in Indigenous peoples’ discomfort. This is just a start in learning and doing better.