Acknowledging Native Lands

Here are brief excerpts from: Territory Acknowledgement  -- a superb resource from Native Lands Digital, to help learn so much more...

• It is very likely that if you do not do any further research...you will err in your acknowledgements.
  • We recommend contacting the nations...directly, to learn more about how they want to be acknowledged...and any other nations or peoples in the area
• Territory acknowledgement is a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life.
  • This is often done at the beginning of ceremonies, lectures, or any public event.
  • It can be a subtle way to recognize the history of colonialism and a need for change in settler colonial societies. 
• However, these acknowledgements can easily be a token gesture rather than a meaningful practice:
  • All settlers, including recent arrivants, have a responsibility to consider what it means to acknowledge the history and legacy of colonialism.
• Territory acknowledgements are one small part of disrupting and dismantling colonial structures.
  • You may also want to get in touch with local Indigenous nations or organizations to build relationships and support their work.
  • Use our tools to find some contacts...

~ from Territory Acknowledgement

Here are some vital excerpts from:
Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgement (13-page PDF)
-- a resource from the non-governmental US Dept of Arts and Culture
(per their disclaimer: "USDAC is a network of 35,000+ artists, organizers, educators, community leaders and allies. We hold the name of a government agency that doesn’t exist; but...we are building the world we wish did exist.")

• Acknowledgment by itself is a small gesture.
• It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed action.
• But this beginning can be:
  • an opening to greater public consciousness of Native sovereignty and cultural rights,
  • a step toward equitable relationship and reconciliation
• Join us in adopting, calling for, and spreading this practice.

 (See below, too --  for a static Map Image of Native Lands Nearby -- and an interactive global map)

• Here is a start of a list for each Native Lands Nation, nearby:
  • Hohokam
  • Sobaipuri
  • Tohono O'odham -- [Official Website]
  • O’odham Jeweḍ
  • [more to be added]
• Also, take time to learn from this superb guide on how to use their map:
  •  The Land You Live On: An Education Guide by Native Land (24 pages)

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FYI = click on this map image -- to open it in a tab/webpage
...then, once it opens -- click on that, too -- anywhere
(in order to zoom in to 100% -- with lots to scroll !)
( ie, 1342 x 1824 pixels ):

Look close at this superb interactive global map, of Native Lands -- including:

• For details on using this online map, see: The Land You Live On: An Education Guide by Native Land (24 pages)
• Colorful shapes to show the Traditional Lands of specific Nations
  • Overlap areas, too
• Zoom In / Zoom Out -- via double-click (to zoom in) -- and shift double-click (to zoom out)
• Click and Drag -- to re-position the map -- vertical or horizontal
• Dynamic Pointer Info -- a list of Nations is shown, for wherever you position your mouse pointer.
• Dynamic Links of Nations -- for wherever you click on the Map -- a list of links updates, in the upper-left corner of the Map -- each link will open a dedicated webpage, with vital info for each Nation (located wherever you clicked)
• Settler Labels -- ie, to display on the map -- all those names of places (states, cities, etc) created by Settler Colonial Societies"
• etc.

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