As you see on the banner on the front page, acknowledgement of wrongs is the first, the beginning step on the process to wholeness and true right relationship.  BUT, before we can acknowledge anything we have to learn what the specific wrong is that was done. We can’t acknowledge that which we don’t know. Read the pages in the Harm and Healing sections before trying to move forward.

Land acknowledgment statements, which are becoming quite commonplace in many organizations and communities, can be an extremely valuable tool, a way to start OR they can be a feel good trap.  They can be part of recognizing the role of white colonialism, occupation, and oppression of the original, Indigenous people from whom land and livelihood was stolen OR they can be a way to check the “woke” box and end there. The front page of this website shows a banner with a 5 part process:

• Acknowledging a wrong
• Making an apology
• Acceptance of the apology
• Making amends
• Moving Forward together

A key component of land acknowledgement is understanding the specific way the occupied land was taken from the Indigenous inhabitants. However, another tricky aspect of land acknowledgement statements is its akin to going to a meeting which starts with the leadership acknowledging that they are on land they stole from you, without any action or intention to return ownership or negotiate with you fair compensation. How would you feel in this situation?

The Apology

After learning enough to form a useful and complete acknowledgement then, and only then is it time to consider an apology. Many church denominations and organizations have worked on this step, often without going through the learning process first. The following articles written by Black and Indigenous people, is a good framework for proceeding in right order from the acknowledgement stage into a potential apology. It can lead into negotiations, with appropriate Tribal people, on what needs to be included in the apology and a beginning of a discussion on amends. Air apologies, those not directed at a person or people that you have some relationship with, can do more harm than healing.

READ THE FOLLOWING!

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The Violence of White (and non-Black PoC) Apologies

Excerpt from the article…

Before you apologize to your Black acquaintance, pause and reflect on a few things…
… many Black people are experiencing an overwhelming influx of apologies. Particularly, long overdue apologies for past microaggressions, macroaggressions, and overt racism. …
What many white people fail to understand is that when an apology is devoid of accountability, it is doubly harmful to Black people.

Yet, white America struggles greatly with apology because apology also comes with accountability.
Accountability means examining the root of what caused one’s behavior. In the case of perpetuating anti-Blackness, this means reckoning with one’s own racism. Many white people (and non-Black PoC) are not ready to do this work, the work of both making amends and taking active steps towards being better ( such as reading critical race theory, attending anti-racism workshops, and educating friends and family). …

Ask yourself: What brought about this sudden need to apologize? Did this person already do the labor of explaining their pain and I did not hear them until now? Did we already have a back and forth where I failed to hear them, but now suddenly, I understand? Am I overwhelmed by feelings of shame and guilt and I need to get rid of them? Am I embarrassed?
Oftentimes, white people believe they are apologizing for Black people, but the apology is really for them.

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

Excerpt from the article…

It is important to understand the longstanding history
that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation.” Northwestern University

TIPS FOR CREATING AN INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT

• Start with self-reflection. …
• Do your homework. …
• Use appropriate language. …
• Use past, present, and future tenses. …
• Land acknowledgments shouldn’t be grim. …

Additional factors to consider:

• Don’t ask an Indigenous person to deliver a “welcome” statement for your organization. …
• Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. …
• Compensate Indigenous people for their emotional labor. …
• Understand displacement and how that plays into land acknowledgment. …
• There are many types of land acknowledgments. …

Take action:
Land acknowledgment alone is not enough. It’s merely a starting point. Ask yourself: how do I plan to take action to support Indigenous communities? Some examples of ways to take action:

• Support Indigenous organizations by donating your time and/or money.
• Support Indigenous-led grassroots change movements and campaigns. Encourage others to do so.
• Commit to returning land. Local, state, and federal governments around the world are currently returning land to Indigenous people.
• Individuals are returning their land, too. Learn more about your options to return your land.