Ehab Mawani GNED 1303-002 201730787

From Observation to Acknowledgment

The Importance of Land Acknowledgment
Ehab Mawani GNED 1303-002 201730787

Introduction
"Land acknowledgment is a crucial aspect of decolonization, as it acknowledges the

ongoing impact of colonialism on Indigenous peoples and their lands, and opens the door to

genuine reconciliation and justice". In my opinion land acknowledgment refers to the practice

of paying respect to the indigenous people of the land and understanding the history that governs

the basic beliefs and norms of the indigenous people of the land. The indigenous people are well

connected with nature and have various rituals and traditions that help them cope up with the

difficulties that they face in the real world. Land based education is something that can be

transmitted from one generation to the next and it involves traditional knowledge as well as

cultural knowledge. In this paper I shall use quotes from various readings and knowledge from

the guest lecturers to prove how land acknowledgement and decolonization go hand in hand and

how it could result in bringing justice and reconciliation to the indigenous people of the land. On

the other hand, decolonization refers to eradication of the long-term effects of colonization on

the indigenous people and their land. The combined knowledge of land acknowledgment,

decolonization as well as land-based education has enabled me to understand the challenges that

indigenous people face and how it is the responsibility of I as an individual to understand the

historical and cultural context of the land I live in which is an important step to build positive

and healthy relationships with indigenous communities.

Identity

“Your identity is like your shadow: not always visible and yet always present

(Quotefancy.com, 2023, Fausto Cercigani)

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I have been in Canada for almost 2 years and in this timeframe, I have met many people of

different color, ethnic background as well as religion. As I continued to explore and meet

different people, I realized that how people have a wide range of opinions on the land I live in.

After learning more about the indigenous people and the concept of land acknowledgment I have

come to understand that how my identity plays vital role in how I portray my beliefs and express

my culture and tradition in front of the society.

The Land that Feeds us Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Prairie Cities

“The Bison is both a keystone species to the land but also indigenous cultures and

specifically to creek cultures”

(Tabitha Robin, January 20th 2021, The Land that Feeds us)

The indigenous are well connected to the nature of the land they are from and that is what is a

part of their culture. The Bison is one way acts an identity of the indigenous which was explored

in the land walk. “The land that feeds us” can mean how indigenous people really get a spiritual

sense of peace and happiness as they are well connected to the land that they once lost many

lives in.

What do Land Acknowledgments Acknowledge

“Land Acknowledgments reflect awareness of history and injustice”

(Huntington, Henry P, 2021, Paragraph 3)

This article gave me a broader and more profound understanding of what land acknowledgment

means in terms of the historical and cultural point of view. The above quote highlights the

concept of colonialism as it is linked to the injustice that the indigenous people faced. Historical
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context through time has played a vital role in explaining how the future will play out. I have

learned more about art work in my previous course GNED 1404 where I explored various

artworks and worked on one such artwork called American Gothic which was filled with great

indigenous representation that portrayed the time of struggle during colonialism. Understanding

the above quote makes me one step closer to understanding the concept of decolonization.

Land Acknowledgments in the academy: Refusing the settler myth

“Land acknowledgments are rhetorical devices that reference a mythical fabrication of

indigenousness that is consistent with the settlers dream of benevolence and innocence”

(Joe Wark. 2021, Refusing the Settler Myth)

Joe Wark provides a more opiniated response on Land Acknowledgement. The above quote has

enabled me to understand that how the recent practice of land acknowledgment arises more

diverse and sometimes conflicting opinions on the practice of land acknowledgments. While

some may view them as a powerful gesture of respect towards Indigenous peoples and their

history, others may see them as performative and superficial, lacking any real action or

commitment towards reconciliation. In my opinion, it is essential to respect the belief and

contributions that the indigenous people have made which seems to be ignored through time. The

importance of non-indigenous people to listen to the voices of indigenous people can bring about

decolonization and reconciliation

A relational theoretical framework and meanings of land, nature, and

sustainability for research with Indigenous communities

Ehab Mawani GNED 1303-002 201730787

“Land engages humans and non-humans in ways that show how others are spiritually

connected with one another”

(Ranjan Dutta, July 2013, The Land)

Land based education is basically an indigenous approach to understanding the relationship

between human and the natural world. Ranjan Dutta explains how the land plays a huge role in

connecting human and non-human in a spiritual way which is an indigenous approach. The

community garden is also a way that human connect with nature as it involves working with

natural resources as well as caring and tending for what the land provides. Rime of the Ancient

Mariner was one such poem that I learned in one my previous course where I explored the

relationship humans have with animals connecting the concept of fate and free will. The above

quote goes on to further explain how land is a source of identity for the indigenous people as

well as spiritually connecting non humans to humans.

Indigenous Knowledge what and why

“Indigenous knowledge is rooted in relationship with the Land”

(GNED 1303, 2023, Power Point Presentation)

The Iniskem Centre at MRU is a well-established space for indigenous people to express what

they are struggling with as well as the materialistic support they need to get through university.

The Iniskem Centre is surrounded with trees as well as rocks and other objects that give out

indigenous knowledge to non-indigenous people such as myself. During the Land Walk I noticed

red dresses handing on trees, at the time I was not aware of what it means. The red dresses

symbolize all the women that went missing or killed during the time of colonialism. I also took

per in a small ceremony where sag was burned and a prayer was recited to remove all negative
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vibes in my life as well as prosperity in my life to be granted. The remains from the sag were

buried in the soil which signifies that all vibes be taken away. The indigenous people are very

spiritual and deeply rooted with their culture which I as a non-indigenous should respect and

understand its significance.

Decolonizing both Researcher

“Decolonization is a continuous process of anti-colonial struggle that honors indigenous

approaches to knowing the world”

(Ranjan Dutta, 2018, Decolonizing Both Researcher)

Decolonization has been a continuous struggle and will continue to do so until justice and

reconciliation is brought in to the minds of the indigenous people. As a non-indigenous person, it

is very important that I understand the concept of Land Acknowledgment as it not only is useful

indigenous knowledge for me to use but also is a step towards helping the indigenous cope up

with the struggle that they are going through in their won land. The Indigenous people despite

living in their own land have become a minority and their voices in my opinion should be heard

and necessary help should be provided. The Iniskem Centre is a great example of the help

provided to indigenous people who have a hard time at university. The struggle for

decolonization in my opinion will continue until other non-indigenous people such as myself

understand the concept of Land Acknowledgment in its historical and cultural point of view.

Decolonizing both Researcher

“Indigenous Scholar Zavala (2013) explain that decolonization is less about methods and

more about providing space for indigenous people and values”

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(Ranjan Dutta, 2018, Decolonizing both Researcher)

We live in a world where there are more than thousands of languages as well religion and

cultures. The Indigenous Scholar Zavala goes explains how important it is provided space for

indigenous people and values which includes giving them a chance to express their opinions as

well as demonstrate the various cultures, traditions and beliefs that they have. In my opinion, this

is more like an act of humanity as I have grown to believe that everyone has the right to express

their own opinions and beliefs in relation to anything as long as it does not affect other

individuals in a negative aspect and stays within the norms that govern the society based on pre

historic and cultural context.

To sum up, Land Acknowledgment is a very broad and can be an opiniated subject as it tends to

refer to accepting culture which is the total way of life as well as traditions of the indigenous

individuals. Decolonization on the other hand is removing the effects of colonialism in the hearts

and minds of the indigenous individuals. Learning about both of these terms has helped me to

understand the struggle that the indigenous people have gone through but it has also given me a

chance to explore the various beliefs and practice that the indigenous people conduct that gives

them spiritual happiness and peace. This knowledge in one way or another will help be more

understanding and accepting towards the indigenous people as it would be nothing but a sign of

humanity from me as well as sign of humbleness of haring this great land with them. The

concept of Land Acknowledgment and Decolonization are well connected and in important to

bring about justice and reconciliation to the lives of the indigenous people.
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Works Cited Page

1. Fausto Cercignani Quote: “Your identity is like your shadow: not always visible and yet

always present.” (n.d.). https://quotefancy.com/quote/1550166/Fausto-Cercignani-Your-

identity-is-like-your-shadow-not-always-visible-and-yet-always

2. Wild About Saskatoon. (2021, January 21). The Land Feeds Us: Indigenous Food

Sovereignty and Prairie Cities [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-

AgVeplJKgI

3. “What do Land Acknowledgments Acknowledge (2021), Henry P Huntington PDF

GNED 1303”

4. Wark, J. (2021). Land acknowledgements in the academy: Refusing the settler myth.

Curriculum Inquiry, 51(2), 191–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/03626784.2021.1889924

5. Library and Archives Canada. (2020, May 25). Home. https://library-

archives.canada.ca/?requestUrl=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/archives-web-

government/Pages/web-archives.aspx

6. Datta, R. (2015). A relational theoretical framework and meanings of land, nature, and

sustainability for research with Indigenous communities. Local Environment, 20(1), 102–

113. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2013.818957

7. “Decolonizing Both Researcher and its effectiveness in indigenous Research” (2018),

Ranjan Dutta PDF GNED 1303

8. Community Garden PDF 2023 GNED 1303

Ehab Mawani GNED 1303-002 201730787
Ehab Mawani GNED 1303-002 201730787