Land Acknowledgment Statement Resources

As the Montana University System campuses continue to grow their efforts to support American Indian students, many have looked to create Land Acknowledgment Statements. While no one certain path fits for all campuses in this process, the acknowledgment works best when it is as inclusive as possible as you engage in the creation of your statement.  The resources below are intended to support a greater understanding of the importance of intent and use as well as to provide examples of items to consider as you navigate this significant effort. 

If these resources do not provide the answers you are looking for, please contact Angela McLean at the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.  Angela can connect you with additional resources and individuals who may guide you to best next steps. Additionally, if you have resources that may be helpful to others, please send them for inclusion in this resource list.

Land Acknowledgment Resources

• Native American and Indigenous Initiatives: Land Acknowledgment
• Land Acknowledgments Are Not Enough
• Hayden King on writing Ryerson University's territorial acknowledgment
• Native Land Digital Map
• Are you planning to do a Land Acknowledgment?

Montana State University and University of Montana  Statements and Use

• MSU Guide to Land Acknowledgments
• MSU American Fisheries Society (MSU) 
• Native Land Project (MSU)
• Montana State University Billings
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice at UM
• UM's American Indian Gateway
• Alexander Blewett III School of Law
• Montana Technological University

Documents for Reference

• Federal Register:  Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs
• Shoshone-Bannock Tribes - Culture and History
• Wikipedia: Territories of the Salish (Flathead), Salish-Tunaxe, Kutenai-Tunaxe, Pend d'Oreille and Semteuse in early time (1700?)
• Salish Pend dOreille History
• 1855 Flathead Treaty

A Note of Thanks: 

Thank you to Kate Shanley, Mike Jetty, Kathi Meier and Amy Verlanic for their contributions to this effort.