Your Land: Finding Meaning in Territorial Acknowledgments

The words have become familiar. “We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples…” The reading of these words – or ones very similar – has become commonplace at the onset of academic lectures, film festivals, panel discussions, sporting events, and other gatherings.

Territorial acknowledgments were introduced more recently to raise awareness that we inhabit the land traditionally belonging to Indigenous peoples. In other words, while we rarely use this exact phrase, we acknowledge that our gathering is taking place on stolen land.

I imagine that the statement is read to allow time for everyone to reflect on what has happened in the past and what could be done to further reconciliation with Indigenous communities moving forward. The reaction from the audience often ranges from scattered applause to silence – only each individual knows whether the latter involves indifference or quiet contemplation.

Each time I hear a land acknowledgment, I reflect on my past and how fortunate I am to call Canada home. My family and I came to Canada as refugees from Sri Lanka during the civil war. My Tamil heritage allows me to empathize with the experiences that Indigenous communities in Canada continue to face. Tamils are a minority population in Sri Lanka, which shaped our experiences as citizens there. Government decisions were made and institutions were set up to favour the majority, often at the cost of minority groups. There was a clear social divide between the majority and the minority groups that impacted where people lived and what opportunities were available to them.

The land acknowledgement reminds me to contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way, and I think about how I can give back to the original custodians of this land – the Indigenous peoples. As I learn more about Canada and its history, I understand more just how important Indigenous communities are to the spirit and identity of our nation. While their treatment in history is disheartening and atrocious, we must acknowledge it and accept our responsibility to make things right. We still live in a nation of haves and have-nots, and too many in Indigenous communities belong to the latter group. We need to close that gap. When we leave people behind, we cannot in our hearts believe that we are truly progressing as a society. 

If you are in the position to open a gathering by providing a land acknowledgment, add to the script. Speak from the heart. Do your best to convey what this land means to you and suggest a few ways we can make our nation a better place for everyone who inhabits it. If you find yourself in an audience listening to a land acknowledgment, hear and feel the words being spoken. Reflect on the reasons you are grateful to live here. Imagine the many ways you can contribute and give back, not only to the land but, also to your fellow humans.

As individuals who enjoy the privileges of living in Canada, we must join hands in the fight for equitable treatment, rights, and respect for Indigenous peoples. We must work together so all Canadians can have equal opportunities to achieve health, happiness, and success.