Land Acknowledgements: A Call to Meaningful Action
Acknowledging the land you are on is a vital step toward honoring the original and ancestral stewards of that place. For countless generations, Indigenous peoples have cultivated practices and traditions for entering and respecting territories belonging to others. Today, many organizations and communities are adopting land acknowledgments as a way to recognize this history and the ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples.
However, we must remember: Indigenous people are still here. A simple acknowledgment without action risks perpetuating the very extraction and erasure it seeks to address. To be meaningful, a land acknowledgment should deepen your connection to the land and its original caretakers. This means moving beyond words into actions that shift resources, power, and opportunities back to Indigenous people.
At First Mother Farms, we view this as a living, ever-evolving process. While we focus on supporting efforts in our specific region, we encourage you to take the time to reflect and research before reaching out for guidance. Here are a few steps to consider as you prepare:
Reflect: What is your personal, familial, or organizational history in relation to the land you occupy? How do privilege and power shape your relationship to it?
Research: Learn whose land you are on and about the history and cultures of its Indigenous people.
Consider Intent: Why are you crafting a land acknowledgment? Who benefits from it?
Engage Local Voices: Whenever possible, involve Indigenous people from the area in your acknowledgment process. Compensation for their time and expertise is essential.
Take Action: Turn acknowledgment into commitment. Contribute resources, redistribute land, support Indigenous-led initiatives, and build genuine, ongoing relationships.
Land acknowledgments should not be performative—they are an invitation to deeper accountability and transformation. At First Mother Farms, we encourage you to explore how these efforts can move beyond acknowledgment into meaningful solidarity with Indigenous communities.
Once you’ve thoroughly engaged with the reflection and research outlined above, we encourage you to draft your land acknowledgment. Additionally, we encourage you to engage with local elders and Council leaders of your local Tribe to begin a meaningful relationship beyond the land acknowledgment.
Additional Resources
Native Governance Center - Native Governance Center Guide
Native Land Digital - Native Land Map
Land Trust Alliance - Land Trust Alliance Guide Land Trust Alliance
Honor Native Land Guide by the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture - Honor Native Land