Land Acknowledgements
The Native Governance Center has some great resources on how to write a meaningful land acknowledgement. It is important for the writer to self-reflect on their own attributes and why they are doing a land acknowledgment. Make sure you have a complete list of Indigenous people and how to pronounce the names. Indigenous people are here and will continue to be here – they are not a relic from the past. Additionally, it is important to use appropriate language. The Native Governance Center recommends using “terms like genocide, ethnic cleansing, stolen land, and forced removal to reflect actions taken by colonizers.” Native Land Digital has a great resource identifying the Indigenous groups in your area. It is vital that the meaning behind doing a land acknowledgement does not become routine and meaningless.
Anti-racism
“To be antiracist is a radical choice in the face of history, requiring a radical reorientation of our consciousness.” Ibram Kendi
Our goal at Prairie Circular Economy is to be as Ibram Kendi calls it – anti-racist. We aim to help your organization become more inclusive and accepting. This website has some great tips to becoming anti-racist. Anyone can be anti-racist, anytime and anywhere. We need to recognize the structural racism and implicit bias in our everyday lives and work to counter it.
Anti-racism and Sustainability
Sustainability is not just environmental issues, but also social and economic issues. These 3 influence each other. Improvements to one area will have a direct impact on the other 2 areas. Social improvements can only improve society as a whole. Recognizing harm from the past and present can improve lives today. Yes, racism and prejudice occur each day. In direct and indirect or subtle ways. By doing this, we can open the discussion for more environmentally sustainable and resilient improvements. We want to leave our home better than we found it.
Here at Prairie Circular Economy, we can help you become a leader in your community. Contact us for a free discovery call and we can work together.