Indigenous Acumen

ARC has developed its own land acknowledgment to focus on our activities in and near 51吃瓜 and wherever our work takes us (see below). This builds on the thoughtful engagement of UVic's Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement, and we encourage you to explore their webpage further, in particular, we point you towards this video on UVic's Territory Acknowledgment.

We are excited to welcome the new UVic chapter in 2022 and look forward to working with them.

Solstice sunrise from beach below PKOLS (Mount Douglas), overlaid with the ARC land acknowledgement: "We respectfully acknowledge that the sites on which ARC members gather, learn, and work are the ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples. As we explore the shared sky, we acknowledge our responsibilities to honour those who were here before us, and their continuing relationships to these lands. We strive for respectful relationships and partnerships with all the peoples of these lands as we move forward together towards reconciliation and decolonization." — Solstice sunrise from beach below PKOLS (Mount Douglas)

What is a land acknowledgement?

A territory or land acknowledgement is a small but essential act of reconciliation. It is a formal statement, often given at the beginning of ceremonies and events, which acknowledges and respects Indigenous Peoples as the traditional and enduring stewards of this land. A land acknowledgement should encourage non-Indigenous individuals to ask questions, learn more about the history of the land, and to reconsider their relationship to the land.

Why is developing a land acknowledgement important to ARC?

Incorporating land acknowledgements is one way ARC strives to act in accordance with UVic’s Indigenous plans. Our community will be a safer space when the members of the community have strong cultural acumen. A person who has cultural acumen acknowledges and respects differences in culture and backgrounds and has the skills and knowledge to work with others in ways which are effective and respectful. This requires a consideration of social and historical context.

Where can I learn more about UVic's land acknowledgement?

The UVic's Land Acknowledgment can be found here. We also encourage you to explore the excellent resources complied on the Office of Indigenous Academic & Community Engagement pages.

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