Traditional Territories Acknowledgements

A Traditional Territory Acknowledgement is a reflection and expression of gratitude that recognizes the Indigenous land we occupy as a community, while promoting a shared commitment to understanding historical events that have led us to the present day.

The University of Manitoba Traditional Territories Acknowledgement

All major events at UM include an acknowledgement of the traditional territories on which our campuses are located: the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate and Dene, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. Sharing this acknowledgement publicly is also an opportunity for the UM community to increase its awareness of Indigenous history and perspectives.

While a general acknowledgement has been written and is available below, members of the UM community are encouraged to personalize their acknowledgement and share their gratitude in a manner that honours their own reflections.

For guidance on how to include a territory acknowledgement in your event, please contact the director of cultural integration at Indigenous.Culture@umanitoba.ca

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate and Dene, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of Reconciliation and collaboration.

Territory Acknowledgement Statement Workshops

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  • If you’re looking for guidance on including a territory acknowledgement in your event, creating your own or learning more about territory acknowledgements in general, join Christine Cyr, Associate Vice-President (Indigenous) of Students, Community and Cultural Integration and Vanessa Lillie, Director of Cultural Integration, for a 60-minute session. 

    These sessions include the history of the territory acknowledgement at UM, current controversies around territory acknowledgements and points for consideration when creating your own. 

    Visit the UM Indigenous Events Calendar for workshop dates and details

Resources

When you're ready to write your own Traditional Territories Acknowledgement for yourself or for your department or faculty, the following resources are available for additional information and to provide assistance with pronunciation.