The following guidelines have been created in an effort to advise the Smathers Libraries’ employees about the need for, and importance of, Native American land acknowledgment statements and how to appropriately implement such a statement. Acknowledging the land and the historical path by which we came to occupy this land is an opportunity to acknowledge the erasure and silencing of Native American communities and cultures and the harm that still exists as a result of colonization and Indian Removal. The goals of this land acknowledgment and usage guidelines are to 1) inform library employees about the Native cultures in Florida today and the historical realities of land tenure in the state, 2) inspire library employees to actively pursue ways in which we can make space for Indigenous people and cultures within the Libraries and collections, and 3) create opportunities to further support our Indigenous patrons.
A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. To recognize the land and the historical realities of Indigenous land dispossession is a means of expressing appreciation to the peoples and cultures who thrived on the land prior to the occupation of the present institution. Land acknowledgments are important as the specific histories of land dispossession are often generalized in the teaching of United States history. Alternatively, localized and nuanced land acknowledgments provide the opportunity to educate on the specifics of a particular institution’s connections to Indigenous lands and the communities of people that are ancestrally connected to those lands. Such an acknowledgment is a means by which we may understand our past, present, and future role as occupants of the land while building a mindfulness of the enduring legacies of colonialism. In this way, the use of land acknowledgements by educational institutions is fundamentally aligned with their missions.
In countries that have been built on colonial foundations, such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, it is increasingly commonplace to acknowledge the traditional Indigenous inhabitants of that land prior to commencing certain types of events and gatherings. The act of acknowledging the land is an Indigenous protocol (tradition) – a way of interacting with Indigenous people in a manner that respects traditional ways of being. Because of this, there are certain times when a land acknowledgment may, or may not, be appropriate. The following guidelines are here to assist library employees in their use of acknowledgements.
Thank you,
The Smathers Libraries Land Acknowledgment Task Force
Before implementing a land acknowledgment, we should be conscious of what a land acknowledgment is, why it was created, and who the statement is intending to honor. The goal of the acknowledgement is not to procedurally check something off a list, but to create space for reflection and encourage mindfulness toward the enduring legacies of colonization on marginalized communities. We hope that by integrating land acknowledgments into our regular practice we can encourage actions to expand upon our efforts to support our Indigenous patrons, learn about Indigenous cultures, and create a more just and equitable environment for all at UF.
Land acknowledgments are not for each and every meeting or presentation. Below are some things to consider before you choose to include a Land Acknowledgment in your work:
The official Smathers Libraries’ Land Acknowledgment can be spoken aloud, linked, or referenced as appropriate. Also, see the derivatives we have created for your use.
Does the presentation or meeting involve materials, references, or ideas regarding Native American history, people, or culture? Either in Florida or beyond? If so, then a land acknowledgment would be appropriate.
Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, and Independence Day are not appropriate times to offer a land acknowledgement as these observances are not universally acknowledged or celebrated by Native communities and in fact may cause harm.
Does the presentation or meeting involve the history, landscape, or status of the University of Florida? If so, then a land acknowledgement would be appropriate, especially if the UF’s status as a Land Grant Institution is featured.
The exact names of Native American groups should be used and correct spellings and pronunciations should be confirmed before your presentation. The two Indigenous societies historically known to have lived in the Gainesville/Alachua County area are the Potano and the Seminole (pronunciations linked). A bibliography of references can be found in this LibGuide for further education.
Native Land – an interactive map displaying Indigenous lands, both ancestral and current (historic data, pre-European colonization not included).
Native American Languages – maps and discussion of the variety of Native languages in North America
Native Americans in Florida – Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services
Learn more about ancestral territories and the process of land dispossession in the United States and Florida. Be aware that not all Indigenous peoples were removed, there was considerable resistance and resilience.
Removing Native Americans from their Land – Library of Congress summary of Indian Removal
A Brief History of Florida – Florida Department of State
Seminole Nation Case Study – Native Knowledge 360˚, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Make efforts to become aware of the present political structure and identity of the Indigenous groups you are acknowledging (i.e. do they refer to themselves as a Tribe? Nation? Federally recognized or not?).
On the Words ‘Tribe’ and ‘Nation’ – Indian Country Today
Seminole
Potano/Timucua
Finally, beyond simple acknowledgment lies real action.
Consider engaging with stakeholder groups such as Native American and Indigenous student groups on campus.
Reach out and connect with faculty and students of the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program at UF.
Review Library collections that contain or are associated with Native American culture and history for accessibility, discoverability, and searchability.
Consult with Native communities regarding the use and circulation of materials with culturally sensitive information to develop respectful guidelines and access protocols.
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