Land Acknowledgement
Spoken:
Before we begin, I first want to acknowledge that the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is built within the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. Minnesota comes from the Dakota name for this region, Mni Sóta Maḳoce, which loosely translates to the land where the waters reflect the skies.
It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations. We also acknowledge that words are not enough. We must ensure that our institution provides support, resources, and programs that increase access to all aspects of higher education for our American Indian students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Written:
The School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is built within the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. Minnesota comes from the Dakota name for this region, Mni Sóta Maḳoce, which loosely translates to the land where the waters reflect the skies.
It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations. We also acknowledge that words are not enough. We must ensure that our institution provides support, resources, and programs that increase access to all aspects of higher education for our American Indian students, staff, faculty, and community members.
Duluth Campus:
Land Acknowledgment for Duluth campus
Resources
About Land Acknowledgements
- Honor Native Land — a guide and call to acknowledgement.
- Using Land Acknowledgements — a guide to Indigenous land acknowledgements.
Minnesota
- Why Treaties Matter — an online exhibit of treaties and land theft in Minnesota.
- The On Being Project Land Acknowledgment Resources — resources dedicated to Native American culture and history in Minnesota.
- Bdote Memory Map — exploration about the Dakota people’s relationship to Minnesota.
- University of Minnesota Native American Promise Tuition program
Maps
- Map of Native Lands — map of Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages across the world by Native Land Digital.
- Local Dakota Land Map — downloadable visual and audio Dakota land maps of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas by local artist Marlena Myles
Land Grant Institutions
Questions about this statement
Lauren Jones, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ledridg@umn.edu