No matter where you are, you are on Native land.

I get many requests each year to help with or guide folks in putting together land acknowledgments. In short, the idea behind a land acknowledgment is to take a first step in demonstrating that your organization, group or you as an individual, honor the history and sacrifices made by those who were here first - Native people and tribes. I cannot respond to every request I get personally, so I just put my thoughts down here. I hope you find them helpful. Above all, please remember that this is a preliminary step. In my opinion, if you’re going to read an acknowledgement, but then take no action to support the sovereignty of Tribal Governments, then just skip it.

My Land Acknowledgment

City of Atlanta

Information on Land Acknowledgments:

Find out what Native lands you live and work on here. Note that this is a starting place, you will need to confirm with tribal representatives regarding their ancestral homeland boundaries.

Looking for guidance on how to create a land acknowledgment statement of your own? See this great guide from the folks at the Native Governence Center. Also this guide from Illuminative.

I also highly recommend reading this blog post on land acknowledgments from the great folks at FAKEQUITY.

The TL:DR? Don’t just check the box with a cookie cutter land acknowledgment. Take action. And when you do? Follow the lead of Native and Indigenous organizations and voices. Be authentic in your actions.

Donate to the following organizations working every day to uplift and protect Native American Sovereignty:

Visit the following sites to find out what current actions you can take on policy or public awareness for Native rights:

Learn about the policy issues facing Indian country from the National Congress of American Indians. Keep in mind that there are over 570 tribes in the US, each with different policy priorities. So, these are just some overarching themes that represent the priorities of those who are member tribes of NCAI.
See how grassroots Native organizers are working to address issues including climate change and racial equity at NDN Collective.
Help change the narrative of how Native people and tribes are represented in American culture and media by visiting the Take Action page for Illuminative. They have great kits, videos and resources to help incorporate into your work!
Tell the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Brian Kemp to take Columbus Day off the Georgia State Calendar! Visit the change.org petition here, organized by the Native American Student Association at UGA.
Incorporate anti-racist and Indigenous-led thought into your work in policy, history or political science teachings - see these great resources from Dr. Rebecca Reid.