Land Acknowledgement

The land is acknowledged as our Mother, the Earth. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to honor and support the *Indigenous peoples, Indigenous cultures, Indigenous values, and Indigenous languages that belong to the land of Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to working towards mending colonized lands and protecting the land in a way that demonstrates honour, respect, and love. The University of Saskatchewan extends this commitment to the lands and Treaty territories (Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10) that constitute kisiskâciwan ([Saskatchewan], “the swift current”, Cree/Saulteaux), and all Indigenous people that call kisiskâciwan home. We are born to the land and the land claims us.

-The Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement

Land as First Teacher

Our Connection to Land

 Land is viewed in a more ‘wholistic’ sense as a living, breathing ecosystem and territory, a kin connection in an Indigenous worldview; and a place that we must learn from, nurture, and sustain. For many of the kēhtē-ayak (Elders) engaged in developing this Strategy, Indigenous languages, protocols, stories, histories, and ways of knowing and being are intrinsically tied to the land. The land has always been our first teacher. 

We have lived on Turtle Island since time immemorial. We built sophisticated settlements and nurtured thriving communities across this great land. As stewards of Mother Earth, we have a special relationship with this land and all the beings that live here—all have spirit. We hunt, gather and fish on this land. We cultivate the soil and harvest food for our families. We respect and revere the land and take care to sustain it so that future generations can enjoy its beautiful gifts.




While the conventional interpretation of the land is something that is immovable or inert, an Indigenous perspective of the term ‘land’ is something more.



 Land is viewed in a more ‘wholistic’ sense as a living, breathing ecosystem and territory, a kin connection in an Indigenous worldview

Resources

Indigenous Voices

Topics include: Land Acknowledgements, Land Agreements, Power and Privilege, Indigenous Education, Place and Culture