Folks often come to us looking for best practices for creating a land acknowledgement for their programs or events across the Great Lakes. Here’s a list of some best practices for doing this work in a good way:
1. Begin with Research and Relationships
- Identify whose land you are on by using resources such as Tribal websites and/or the maps at Native Land Digital. You can also look to Universities or museums on the land you’re looking to identify to see if they already have a land acknowledgement in place. Remember though, online tools are starting points, not final sources.
- Consult or collaborate with representatives of the Indigenous nations connected to that land. Ask about how they would like to be acknowledged, and whether they have preferred wording or additional context.
- Learn the history. See what info you and find about treaties, removals, settlement, and ongoing presence. Include this context to avoid implying that Indigenous peoples only existed in the past.
2. Use Specific, Accurate Language
- Name the tribe(s) accurately, using their self-identified names, not colonial or outdated ones (e.g., “Ojibwe” rather than “Chippewa” unless the community uses both).
- If multiple groups share historical or ongoing ties to the land, recognize all of them.
- Avoid vague phrasing like “We acknowledge the Indigenous people who once lived here” — instead say “We acknowledge that this campus sits on the homelands of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodéwadmi peoples…”
3. Acknowledge Ongoing Presence and Sovereignty
- Emphasize that Indigenous nations continue to exist as sovereign governments and communities today.
- Use present tense (“are,” not “were”) to affirm ongoing relationships to the land.
- Recognize that treaties and sovereignty still shape current relationships between Indigenous nations and settler governments.
4. Pair Words with Actions
- A strong land acknowledgement isn’t just a statement — it’s a commitment. Include or follow up with:
- Actions your organization is taking to support Indigenous communities (scholarships, partnerships, land rematriation, consultation, etc.)
- Opportunities for your audience to learn more or get involved.
- If appropriate, direct connections to Indigenous faculty, programs, Tribal centers, or community events.
5. Make it Personal and Contextual
- Tailor the acknowledgement to your specific context (university, conference, classroom, event) and audience.
- Speak it aloud rather than reading mechanically — and be prepared to explain what it means.
- Reflect on your own relationship to place, privilege, and responsibility.
6. Keep it Living
- Revisit and update the acknowledgement as your understanding and relationships deepen.
- Treat it as a living document, not a fixed script.