Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is built within the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. 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.

Resources

University of Minnesota

• College of Liberal Arts, American Indian Studies, Community Engagement – a comprehensive list of student and community resources, scholarship opportunities, and outreach events put on by the American Indian Studies department
• College of Liberal Arts, American Indian Studies, American Indian and Indigenous Studies Workshop – description of the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Workshop that provides a place for graduate students and faculty members from all disciplines to come together and share research related to Indigenous Studies
• Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE), Circle of Indigenous Nations – a student services office for American Indian/First Nations/Alaska Native students at the University of Minnesota
• UMN Library, American indian Studies – library resources available at the University of Minnesota pertaining to American Indian Studies
• Center of American Indian and Minority Health – UMN department that works to recruit and educate Native American physicians, pharmacists, and health professionals
• Minnesota Indiginous Leadership Network – a network at UMN working to strengthen relationships with tribal leaders in rural and urban Minnesota

Native American History in Minnesota and the Twin Cities

• Local Dakota Land Map – downloadable visual and audio Dakota land maps of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas by local artist Marlena Myles
• The Minnesota Historical Society, Native American Culture and History – links to and descriptions of different museums and historical sites around Minnesota that honor the Dakota and Ojibwe people
• Explore Minnesota, Museums and Historic Sites Share American Indian Culture – article in Explore Minnesotai> that outlines the history of indigenous people in Minnesota and where to go to learn more

Land Acknowledgements and the history of land treaties

• Why Treaties Matter – a comprehensive and thoughtful exploration of treaties and land theft in Minnesota. For our area, we recommend you begin by reading about the 1837 land cession treaties with the Ojibwe and Dakota, and the 1851 Dakota land cession treaties
• Where We Stand: The University of Minnesota and Dakhóta Treaty Lands – a discussion on land acknowledgements by Čhaŋtémaza (Neil McKay) and Monica Siems McKay, published in Open Rivers
• The On Being Project Land Achnowledgement Resources – a whole host of resources dedicated to Native American culture and history in Minnesota, as well as on the practice of land acknowledgement
• Developing Land Acknowledgements – “You need to be able to do the work. Otherwise, I don’t know if there’s meaning behind it”: Indigenous leaders from the University of Alberta share their thoughts on Acknowledgements

How to talk to children about Native American and Indigenous culture

• How to Honor Indigenous Peoples with Your Kids, Today and Everyday – a PBS article for Indigenous Peoples Day that outlines ways to discuss community, heritage, and our nation’s past with its youngest members
• Transforming teaching and learning about Native Americans – an interactive resource from the Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian, for teachers and students
• How Children’s Books Grapple With the Native American Experience – NPR discussion about children’s books that address the history and experiences of Native Americans