Land Acknowledgements: Connect 'the Why' it's being said

Territorial Land Acknowledgements have become a standard way to begin most meetings, it seems. Traditionally, they are done to honour the original inhabitants—the First Nations Peoples—and seldom do they differ in format. mentioning the place and then the people. (At least the ones that I hear.)

Recently, I attended a meeting that went off the typical TLA script and I was surprised by it. The ancestral origins of the organizations’ leadership team was detailed before the territory and people. Later, I asked why this approach was decided upon. The impetus was a request made by an Indigenous facilitator at an event where they were asked to share their story instead.

I was curious how others within the First Nations and Métis community felt about this unique deviation. A First Nations PhD student friend of mine is intuitively able to see (and educated in) both Indigenous and western ways of knowing. His perspective was very informative.

“I think it feels better that you recognize the lands and peoples of the place you currently gather on, as proper protocol, before welcoming the diversity of the ethnicity gathered. Encouragement should be offered about the land acknowledgement and why it is said versus just saying it." He explained:

"In these spaces, I suggest that we recognize the peoples and places. Recognition of the challenging histories and a desire to walk together on a path for a better future together.”

I asked another Indigenous friend for feedback. She agreed, saying it would be disrespectful if the ancestral land and people were not acknowledged first. Especially without context beforehand to explain the reason for doing so.

It is customary, and not something new, for Indigenous communities to acknowledge the territory they are on when visiting others. Recent versions of Land Acknowledgements are inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls-to-Action.

Notably, TLAs are to be given by the host of a meeting. Do not ask a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person to do it. They know who the territorial owner is of the land on which they stand.

The website Honouring Indigenous Peoples notes, “Reconciliation requires a commitment from Non-Indigenous Peoples to understand the past, recognize treaty agreements, build equitable relationships and support the restoration of Indigenous Peoples language and culture.”

While Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi flawlessly pronounced the names of the territorial owners, when acknowledging them, of the land where Calgary was built in the Treaty?7 region. This includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, made up of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations; the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. As well as the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region?3. (Nenshi was the first speaker I heard mention Calgary is also known as Moh-kins-tsis.) Correctly doing so earned him respect from the local Indigenous community.

Phonetics matter. A much more general statement can be made without listing each of these if you are not invested in getting it right. If you are determined to do so, you can often find videos to demonstrate the proper way to say them, or ask a local expert. The Territorial Acknowledgement Pronunciation Guide created by Darin Flynn, Associate Professor of Linguistics, at the University of Calgary is a great reference for those who live here to rehearse.

Two of the 10 Principles of Reconciliation from the lessons learned by the TRC come to mind.

6) “All Canadians, as Treaty peoples, share responsibility for establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships."

7) “The perspectives and understandings of Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers of the ethics, concepts, and practices of reconciliation are vital to long-term reconciliation.”

We all have much to learn. I recommend reading the TRCs Calls to Action to understand the significance of reconciliation and to commit to building meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples across Canada. This is a small step in the right direction towards understanding the affects colonization has had and the generational trauma of Residential Schools.