Brandon University has campuses on Treaty 1 and Treaty 2 lands, and we are a gathering place for people from many backgrounds and around the world. In this way, we carry on the Indigenous customs of our home in Brandon. We acknowledge Brandon is on shared territory between the Dakota Oyate, the Anishinaabeg, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. Today, many other Indigenous people call Brandon their home today, including the Ininew, Anisininewuk, Denesuline, and Inuit.

The plants, animals, and people who share their history and traditions on the land and water of this area deeply influence our gatherings today. Thank you to all for sharing this space with us today.

What is a land acknowledgement?

A land acknowledgement is a formal statement performed at the beginning of a gathering to share awareness on land history, traditional territories, and Indigenous people, and to express gratitude for the land in which we occupy.

What is the intent of a land acknowledgement?

To honour the traditional territory of the Indigenous people who were here before the arrival of settlers and who have called this land home since time immemorial.

Why do we offer land acknowledgements?

• To ground people and set the tone of the gathering with good intentions,
• To acknowledge and show respect for Indigenous people with a deep historical relationship to the land,
• To raise awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life, and
• To demonstrate a commitment to Truth & Reconciliation.

Who can deliver a land acknowledgement?

Everyone. Land acknowledgements offer a learning and teaching moment by increasing one’s own personal knowledge and understanding, and by spreading awareness about the true history of colonization to promote reconciliation (First Nations Health Authority: Health through Wellness, 2023).

-As an act of reconciliation, we encourage you to create your own land acknowledgement-

Refer to Land Acknowledgement Protocol for additional guidelines on creating your own land acknowledgement.

Additional Resources:

First Nations Health Authority – “Territory Acknowledgements: Information Booklet”

University of Saskatchewan – “Finding Your Personal Land Acknowledgement”

Native Governance Center – “A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement”