4 Teacher Tips for Meaningful Land Acknowledgments
Most schools in Ontario begin every day with a reading of the Land Acknowledgment followed by the playing of the national anthem. Many students will listen to the Land Acknowledgment and some will even recite it. The question is, do they understand the meaning and intentions behind the words? I believe that the Land Acknowledgement provides an opportunity for us to appreciate the relationship we have with the Land. It also helps us to recognize the responsibility that we have to protect it and care for it. In other words, the Land Acknowledgement is so much more than just a statement. It’s an expression of gratitude, reciprocity, and understanding. This is important for students because it helps them to develop more meaningful connections to the Earth and also honours the experience and connection that Indigenous people have with the Land.
Here are some suggestions on how you can introduce this in the classroom and make the Land Acknowledgement a meaningful part of your students’ school experience.
Break down the term “Land Acknowledgement”
To give students context, begin by breaking down the terms “Land” and “acknowledgement”. Start with a concept chart that can be kept up in the classroom - something that you can build upon as you move through other lessons. Some examples of concepts to discuss are: connection, respect, and appreciation.
Introduce activities that help students pay attention
A key piece of Land acknowledgement is noticing and appreciating the world around us. Introduce students to activities that help them pay attention, such as mindful sitting, cloud watching, or nature walks. Giving students the opportunity to use their five senses outside can help them to be more present, and can also help with other skills such as emotional regulation.
Give students opportunities to reflect on their own experiences with the Land
Giving students time to reflect helps to honour their experiences and learn more about each other. Reflection can be done through conversation, writing, or even art. One idea is to have students think about a place in nature where they have had a positive or meaningful experience, and write about it creatively.
Read books by Indigenous authors and discuss themes of the Land
There are many picture books written by Indigenous authors that address the importance of the Land. While reading these books, discuss with your students when there are characters who are acknowledging the Land and when there are characters who are not. What happens when the Land is not acknowledged? Picture books are a great starting place to engage in meaningful discussions as a class.
I hope this has been helpful! Is there something else you want to know? If so, ask away in the comments below. You can also call us! We offer FREE 30 minute discovery calls for lesson planning and professional development. Book yours now here.
Want more great content? Follow us on Instagram!
__________________________
Sam Murdoch-Rock, Board Director and Indigenous Lead. Read here to learn more about her work in education.