What is a Land Acknowledgement?

A Land Acknowledgement is a statement recognizing the Indigenous people of a place. It is a gesture of appreciation for the past, present, and future Indigenous stewardship of the lands that we occupy. 

A Land Acknowledgement creates space that fosters gratitude and respect for the contributions, innovations, and contemporary perspective of Indigenous peoples. It is an actionable statement that marks our collective movement toward decolonization and equity. 

While it is important to acknowledge the land, it is even more important to take concrete steps toward supporting Indigenous communities. 

Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington Land Acknowledgement 

Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington respectfully acknowledges the native nations of over 257 federally recognized tribes and numerous unrecognized and forgotten tribes whose ancestral lands our wish community resides on.

We honor the relationships that exist between Indigenous peoples, their sovereign relationships to their lands, their languages, their ancestors, and future generations. We must listen to them when they speak about their experiences because they are the authorities on their own history. In recognizing the land and Indigenous history, we strengthen our collective movement toward healing and transformation, recognizing our paths are intertwined in the complex and painful histories of colonization in Alaska and Washington. We acknowledge that the key to building a healthier world is by listening to the peoples, elders, and lessons from the past.  

This acknowledgement does not take the place of authentic relationships with Indigenous communities but serves as a first step in honoring the land we are on. Today, we invite you to think about the people on whose land your home is built and their contributions to our lives. 

Native Land map is a starting point in this personal investigation. This exploration can lead to resources that further highlight the significance and the presence of the Indigenous peoples who continue to steward this land. 

We encourage you to not only investigate the history of the lands on which you now reside and work, but to also take this knowledge and pass it along to those who come after you. Repairing the effects of colonization requires collective change. It is through personal journeys that we can individually begin to repair the damaged relationship with this land and its peoples.