LandAcknowledgement Refertothis LandAcknowledgement Toolkit ( https://www.csusm.edu/cicsc/land.pdf ) to support teachers to build relationships, show respect, and act with reciprocity with tribal communities. Acknowledging indigenous lands serves as an educational moment, offering exposure to individuals who may not have previously known the names of the tribes that have long inhabited and nurtured the land beneath their feet. It's essential to recognize that land acknowledgment is a protocol deeply rooted in indigenous and tribal customs, establishing a respectful routine that supports the ongoing journey of reconciliation. This act is transformative, working to counteract deliberate attempts to erase indigenous peoples and is a crucial initial step in decolonizing our relationships with the land. Recognizing the land is an act of gratitude and respect towards the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands we now inhabit. It acknowledges their enduring presence and contributions to the land since time immemorial. Understanding the deep history that has led us to reside on these lands fosters an appreciation of our place within that ongoing narrative. Land acknowledgements remind us that colonialism is not a historical event but an ongoing process, urging us to be mindful of our present participation. By acknowledging the land, we also prompt reflection on what it means to occupy space on Indigenous territories. The way acknowledgment is delivered matters. It should not be a formulaic recitation. It is important to understand that the land was not given away to settlers. This is unceded land and this requires respect in the acknowledgement at the very least.A land acknowledgment is not something you “just do” before an event. Instead, it should be approached as a reflective practice, fostering mindfulness and intentionality before entering any gathering. Below is excerpted from the Anti Oppression Network, revised to frame within the settler colonialism context ( https://theantioppressionnetwork.com/allyship/ ) ● allyship is not an identity—it is a lifelong process of building relationships based on trust, consistency, and accountability with marginalized individuals and/or groups of people allyship is not self-defined—our work and our efforts must be recognized by the people we seek to ally ourselves with ●
it is important to be intentional in how we frame the work we do, i.e. we are showing support for…, we are showing our commitment to ending [a system of oppression] by…, we are using our privilege to help by…
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