A portion of a map that erases the borders Colonial powers drew, and shows instead the Indigenous territories, treaties and languages of North America. Native Land Digital, CC BY-SAMany events these days begin with land acknowledgments: earnest statements acknowledging that activities are taking place, or institutions, businesses and even homes are built, on land previously owned by Indigenous peoples. And many organizations now call on employees to incorporate such statements not only at events
Our headquarters sits on the traditional, unceded territories of the Duwamish and Coast Salish people. We acknowledge and honor them with gratitude and recognize that this land continues to be their home.
These formal statements that attempt to recognize and respect Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of certain lands have become de rigueur. But do they work?