Land Acknowledgement
"As we gather here today, we acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another."
-University Council
Land Recognition
The University of Saskatchewan's academic governing body, University Council, created language that may be used to acknowledge the lands and Indigenous peoples of the Saskatoon area.
After extensive consultation, thoughtful and consistent language was created for the following three reasons. First, it is appropriate to acknowledge the history and the people of this land. Second, having language helps those in the university community who seek to acknowledge this place and its peoples, but who have concerns about how to do so or what to say. Third, wide consultation ensured that the language was approved by the peoples whom it acknowledges. The aim was to ensure that no one feels excluded by such an acknowledgement.
Through the teaching, learning and academic resources committee of University Council, there was consultation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous faculty, students and staff. The language was discussed extensively in order to ensure that the language was inclusive and representative.
The language that University Council unanimously passed is:
As we gather here today, we acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.