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Land Acknowledgement

panorama shot of Western campus in autumn


At Western, we encourage Land Acknowledgements that strive to rise above mere words and instead seek to inspire action and commitment towards Reconciliation and building relationships with Indigenous communities.

Across the country, territorial or land acknowledgments have become a common practice. They are often spoken at the beginning of a public gathering or written in various publications, websites, social media and course syllabi – all in an effort to pay respect to the Original Peoples of the territory upon which we physically sit. 

However, despite their widespread use Land Acknowledgements at Western are not always fully understood. To further our campus’ understanding, we have prepared More Than Words: A Guide to Land Acknowledgements at Western University. This Guide provides background information on the meanings behind the words in Land Acknowledgements and includes reflection questions for readers to consider when writing their own Land Acknowledgement.

 

Learn more about the More Than Words module

 

Personalization and Reflection

While the Office of Indigenous Initiatives provides sample Land Acknowledgements to support learning and offer a starting point, these examples are not intended to be read as scripts. Meaningful Land Acknowledgements come from reflection and personal connection. Consider your relationship to the land: how you came to be here, what you are doing here, and how your work, learning, or presence can contribute positively to the land, its peoples, and its histories. Land Acknowledgements are most impactful when they are spoken thoughtfully, with intention, and followed by action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Land Acknowledgements create space to recognize that Western exists within ongoing Indigenous homelands and treaty relationships. They invite reflection on how we are connected to the land, to Indigenous Peoples, and to the responsibilities that accompany our presence here. When offered thoughtfully, Land Acknowledgements can support learning, accountability, and inspire action to rebuild respectful relationships grounded in truth, treaty, and responsibility.
Anyone living and working on this territory may offer a Land Acknowledgement in contexts such as classes, meetings, ceremonies, or events. What is shared, and how it is delivered, should reflect the purpose, audience, and your positionality.

Indigenous people should not be asked to deliver Land Acknowledgements by virtue of being Indigenous.

At times, you may wish to invite an Indigenous Elder or Knowledge Keeper to offer a traditional opening, such as the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. When planning events, consider how Indigenous Peoples can be meaningfully engaged beyond openings or acknowledgements. To inquire about inviting an Elder or Knowledge Keeper, please contact the Wampum Learning Lodge.
Start by reading More Than Words: A Guide to Land Acknowledgements at Western University. You can use the reflection prompts to develop an acknowledgement that is context specific and relational. Speak in your own voice, and connect to the work, discipline, or purpose of the gathering. Avoid treating examples as scripts.

What you should include:

  • Identify the land: Acknowledge the specific Indigenous territory you are on
  • Name the Nations: Name the Indigenous Nations who are the original stewards of the land
  • Recognize Indigenous presence: Affirm that Indigenous people continue to live on, care for, and have relationships with the land today
  • Acknowledge history and impact. Recognize the effects of colonization, including displacement, treaties,
  • Commit to respect and responsibility: express a personal or institutional commitment to reconciliation, learning, and supporting Indigenous sovereignty and future
  • Remember to personalize: Add your own personal connection throughout, locating yourself in the acknowledgement
Western encourages the use of Land Acknowledgements before meetings or events held on campus and, where appropriate, in print (e.g., viewbooks, websites). Some people also include Land Acknowledgements in their email signatures. As with all uses, context and intention matter; keep them meaningful and relevant to the setting.
No. Approaches vary by context and positionality. For example, nonIndigenous community members may focus on acknowledging Indigenous presence and treaty relationships, while Indigenous people from the local territory may welcome others to the land. Bring your own meaning and story, and adapt to the environment in which the acknowledgement is delivered.

Example Land Acknowledgement for Western (Guidance Only)

Please note: The following example is offered as a guidance and learning tool; it is not a script. Adapt it thoughtfully for your context, speak in your own voice and remove pronunciation aids in written formats.

Land Acknowledgement Example

Includes pronunciation guidance for spoken delivery; remove in written formatting.

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee and the Lūnaapéewak, on lands connected with the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum between the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee and the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796.

With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.

Pronounciation Guide

Word
Normal Speed
Slow Speed
Anishinaabek
Lūnaapéewak
Haudenosaunee