We All Go Back to the Land: The Who, Why, and How of Land Acknowledgements

by Suzanne Keeptwo

Getting the Land Acknowledgement Right Land Acknowledgements often begin academic conferences, cultural events, government press gatherings, and even hockey games. They are supposed to be an act of Reconciliation between Indigenous peoples in Canada and non-Indigenous Canadians, but they have become so routine and formulaic that they have sometimes lost meaning. Seen more and more as empty words, some events have dropped Land Acknowledgements altogether. Métis artist and educator Suzanne Keeptwo wants to change that. She sees the Land Acknowledgement as an opportunity for Indigenous peoples in Canada to communicate a message to non-Indigenous Canadians—a message founded upon Age Old Wisdom about how to sustain the Land we all want to call home. This is an essential narrative for truth sharing and knowledge acquisition.

Genres: Native American, Indigenous, Nonfiction

432 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2021

Reviews

[Rosemary Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeptwo has done an incredible job with this book, and an immense service to every North American. Released in 2021, she shares historical and current information that helps contextualize complex issues. This could be your first or tenth book on the subject and you would find the information valuable. And, if you care about the Land and Mother Earth, you may find special appreciation for what is shared in these pages.

[MandyAlves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important read especially for those of us who are in arenas where rote Land Acknowledgements are expected and have become common practice. An important reminder that acknowledging the land needs to include the people, the land, and the stories, as well as the current impacts that are happening on that land. And that the acknowledgment should include a call to education and action for the presenter and all those listening, to make reconciliation a reality and make this world a better place.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really thought-provoking questions here about about how to use land acknowledgements as an educational opportunity, a way to commit to action, and a way to invite others to take action in support of Indigenous rights, title, and interests. Recognition of traditional territory is not enough. A rote two liner repeated at every meeting and event is not enough.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I always did think that the Land Acknowledements that are made are not really accurate and have been made meaningless as no action has been taken to do more for the First Nations of this country. Reconciliation can not move forward unless all levels of government and individuals strive to make their actions louder than words.

[Jennie Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only peripherally about land acknowledgements. Quite tangential. Lots of great historical info about specific nations and land. The author can sometimes come across as judgmental.

[Emily Cauduro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is spectacular! So much important information, I appreciate how thorough Suzanne is in her discussion of how we all go back to the land