Land Acknowledgement

What is a land acknowledgement?

A land acknowledgement is a statement made at the beginning of an event or gathering (or a class) or on written materials to recognize the Indigenous peoples who have live on, and steward, these lands and have done so since time immemorial. It acknowledges the traditional territories of specific Indigenous nations and emphasizes the need to respect their ongoing relationship with the land. It is different than a protocol welcome.

A land acknowledgement is usually a concise statement, verbal or in writing, that acknowledges the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples on the land. It aims to raise awareness about colonization, displacement, and the continued struggles faced by Indigenous communities. Moreover, it is an opportunity to express gratitude for the ongoing efforts of Indigenous peoples to protect, care for and sustain these lands and territories. Land acknowledgements can vary in length and depth, but they generally do not involve the same level of ceremony and cultural expression as an Indigenous protocol welcome. Land acknowledgements can and should be done by anyone that is speaking at the start of a class, event, conference etc.

What lands should we be acknowledging?

The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our main campus is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).

This is also the appropriate acknowledgement for the Downtown Campus. We are in the process of working on land acknowledgement statements for the Aerospace Technology, Anacis Island, and BCIT Marine campuses In the meantime, you can use the general one above.

Do I need to request a land acknowledgement to be done by IIP?

Anyone can do a land acknowledgement. It is important to remember that a land acknowledgement must be personal. Practicing and learning is what is important here. Doing a land acknowledgement is one demonstration of your commitment to reconciliation and a willingness to learn. It is important to not personalize the land acknowledgement so much that is about you and your story. From a personal context, it is more about what you truly appreciate about the land and space you occupy.

Should I add one to my email signature?

Many people choose to do this, but it’s not a requirement. It is another way to demonstrate commitment and is up to each individual at BCIT.

Want to learn more?

There is a lot of information online that can help you better understand the practices of land acknowledgements. Here’s one blog from local facilitator, Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee, that can provide some useful background and context.