Indigenous Peoples have lived on this land for time beyond memory. At Taylor Studios, we often work with clients who seek to honor that long relationship with the land through a land acknowledgement statement that describes and centers the connection between Indigenous Peoples and the land. A few weeks ago, I and my fellow interpretive planner, Corey, sought to learn more about how to craft land acknowledgements with depth, care, and respect. We attended a webinar held by the National Association of Interpretation and led by Owen L. Oliver.

Origin of Land Acknowledgements Owen L. Oliver, who is Quinalt and Isleta Pueblo, taught us that land acknowledgement statements are an old concept that is now being used in a new way. For many Indigenous Peoples, it is traditional to acknowledge your intent when you arrive in a new place, to formally announce who you are, why you are there, and what your connection is to the land. While Indigenous Peoples continue that practice today, the idea has also been adapted into the land acknowledgement statement, which can be created and used by all people.

Taylor Studios worked closely with representatives of the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation to design exhibits for the Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center in Michigan, including creating a climbable turtle sculpture based on a Wyandot carving that they provided.

Writing Process

As Oliver walked us through the process of writing land acknowledgement statements, he emphasized a set of guidelines we could follow to keep us on the right track.

1. Begin by doing your research. Land acknowledgement statements should be as specific as possible, so make sure you know which Indigenous nations consider your site part of their ancestral homeland. Native Land Digital, an interactive map of Indigenous nations, is a great place to start.

2. Don’t tokenize Indigenous Peoples; the purpose of a land acknowledgment is to teach, to honor, and to inspire action. It shouldn’t just be checking a box.

3. Don’t limit your land acknowledgement to past relationships. Reference past, present and future.

4. Be uplifting. Past atrocities should be recognized, but they shouldn’t be the endpoint. Recognize the progress that Indigenous Peoples have made and are continuing to make today.

5. Offer resources or ways to take action.

6. Land acknowledgements are dynamic. They should be written, or at least tailored, for specific events or places. They can change as your site staff learn more about the relationship between your site and Indigenous Peoples in the past, or as you build new relationships with Indigenous Peoples today.

7. It is appropriate to ask Indigenous people for guidance and input when writing a land acknowledgement for a major event or a land acknowledgement that will be used by an entire organization. Compensate Indigenous people for their time and labor.

Representatives of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi (Pokégnek Bodéwadmik) contributed to exhibits that Taylor Studios designed and built for Pokagon State Park in Indiana. Among many other contributions, they wove traditional cattail mats for a model of a wigwam.

A Land Acknowledgement for Taylor Studios

After the workshop, Corey and I put our newfound knowledge into practice by creating a land acknowledgement for Taylor Studios. We hope it inspires you to craft land acknowledgements for your site.

Throughout time, people have shared their stories, taught others, and created art. Taylor Studios recognizes our operation alongside these artists and teachers, specifically the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations who are the original and continued stewards of the land we work from. Through our work, we seek to highlight and uplift the voices of Indigenous people - sharing their perspectives, traditions, and current experiences to people around the world.