M9//S1 P91 Land Acknowledgments

What is a Land Acknowledgment? 
Land Acknowledgments are a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life.  They are an attempt to address the past, present and future of a particular location as it relates to Indigenous peoples as well as to understand one’s own place within it. 

From universities to sports games to city council meetings to  Santa Clara County Office of Education have adopted Land Acknowledgments Links to an external site., it’s becoming increasingly common to see statements recognizing that the land on which one is standing once belonged to Indigenous people.

Your task is to choose a place to bring an awareness through a "Greeting From..." postcard acknowledging the land's origins. 

Objective:
The objective of this assignment is to deepen your understanding of land acknowledgments and their significance in recognizing and honoring Indigenous peoples' traditional territories. You will research and analyze the land acknowledgment of a specific place, examining its historical and cultural context, and reflect on its implications for truth and reconciliation.

Instructions:

Select a Specific Place:
Choose a specific location, such as a city, town, institution, or landmark, where you will focus your research on the land acknowledgment. Ensure the place has a documented land acknowledgment statement. You can use this search tool Links to an external site..

Research:
a. Historical Context: Investigate the history of Indigenous peoples in the chosen area, including the original inhabitants, treaties, land dispossession, and cultural impact.
b. Current Indigenous Presence: Explore the current presence and contributions of Indigenous communities in the chosen area.
c. Land Acknowledgment Statement: Obtain the official land acknowledgment statement for the chosen place.

Create:

Create a 20th Century style postcard "Greeting From..." using images and illustrations found online. 

Use the contemporary name of the place, but subtitle it with a land acknowledgement.

Submission:
Submit your final postcard (12" x 18" @ 300dpi) made in Photoshop and/or Illustrator as a PDF.

Evaluation Criteria:

Thoroughness and depth of research.
Accuracy and understanding of historical and cultural context.
Thoughtful reflection and interpretation of the significance of land acknowledgments.
Clarity and creativity in the presentation format and content.