Land Acknowledgements
“Land Acknowledgements are an act of reconciliation, an act of compassion, and an act of mindfulness. By recognizing the traditional territories you stand on and what they mean to you, you take a small but important step towards recognizing and honouring the Indigenous Peoples who have lived on Turtle Island (aka: North America) since long before colonization” (ITO, 2020).
Writing and including land acknowledgments in your resource recognizes and respects the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands we inhabit. These acknowledgments serve as a small yet meaningful step towards decolonization, fostering awareness about the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
When crafting a land acknowledgment, it’s crucial to acknowledge the specific Indigenous nations, languages, and cultures associated with the land in question. By incorporating land acknowledgments into our writing, we contribute to a broader dialogue of reconciliation and demonstrate our commitment to honoring Indigenous sovereignty and resilience. Land acknowledgments are individual and reflective. See the following resources for support in crafting your own.
Resources
ITO Land Acknowledgement Resource GuideIndigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO). (2020). ITO Land Acknowledgement Resource Guide. https://indigenoustourismontario.ca/about-ito/resources/land-acknowledgement/
