When we’re being honest about why land acknowledgements are important—recognition of the attempted genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada, which spans centuries—they might seem like an inadequate gesture. But the NCTR’s recommendations help provide a solid framework for reconciliation for the injustices that have been carried out against Indigenous communities: broken treaty relationships, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and continued attempts by government (federal, provincial and territorial) and religious groups to control the Indigenous family unit, resources and access to services. I think that understanding colonization isn’t just a historical problem—it’s also a key component in grappling with why land acknowledgements are important today. Generations of Canadians have been affected—not just the oppressed.

Land acknowledgements aren’t about placing blame, and not all Indigenous peoples agree on their efficacy or even on how they should be done—especially when they are sloppy, done without Indigenous consultation or don’t reflect actual Indigenous inclusion and representation within organizations as a whole. Part of the point in making land acknowledgements is to recognize how systemic and institutional systems of power have oppressed Indigenous peoples, and how that oppression has historically influenced the way non-Indigenous people perceive and interact with Indigenous peoples—all still quite prevalent in today’s cultural, social and political climate.

How should I react during a land acknowledgement?

Be mindful of the thoughts that go through your head when you hear or see a land acknowledgement. Digging deep to look at how our personal biases might contribute to discrimination can be tough, but the work of personal introspection isn’t supposed to be easy. Be honest with yourself about your first reactions and the commentary that ensues when we hear a land acknowledgement with our peers, or when your kids talk about hearing them at school. Today’s land acknowledgements contradict what many of us were taught, even if we’ve been out of school for just a few years—not to mention with how our own Canadian identity is reflected through our family histories. Know that proving and understanding identity is something that First Nation, Métis and Inuit people have to do every day.

When we start to connect the necessary dots to gain a thorough understanding of why land acknowledgements are important, we’re faced with some harsh truths about injustices that have happened—and are still happening—right here in Canada, often carried out by institutions we’ve believed in and trusted. These are big things to grapple with, and you’ll find that most Indigenous people are understanding of that.

Sara Roque, a filmmaker who worked for years as the Indigenous arts officer at the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), has seen many land acknowledgements, both across Turtle Island and in other Indigenous communities such as in Australia and New Zealand. She understands how the scripted ones can be seen as a “yawn”—it’s a reaction she has witnessed from both audiences and jury panels and adds that it quickly becomes clear when speakers either don’t have a full understanding of land acknowledgements or are just reciting words.

Recognizing how generations before us have individually oppressed others doesn’t necessarily mean we are admitting to being bad people today. And holding one another accountable when it comes to self-reflection can seem like a tall order, too. But these are important things to think about—and more importantly, they’re actionable steps toward legitimate reconciliation.

Is there a wrong way to do a land acknowledgement?

Perhaps. I’m still on the fence. In my opinion, when they are dry, scripted and obviously hold no meaning to the speaker, I am critical—but I also appreciate that at least they’re being done in more and more spaces. Other peers and community members I’ve talked to about land acknowledgements say that many of them are very obviously less about accuracy and more about doing something in the name of “reconciliation” without doing anything else. Stumbling over some words just isn’t enough—Indigenous programming and leadership should also be consistently reflected throughout the event, workshop or curriculum.