How do I bring emotion/self into land acknowledgments?

Indigenous ways of knowing, culture, and protocols are holistic in nature and do not separate the mind from the heart as is often the case in Western scientific practices. As such, it is important for you to bring your whole self to not only your land acknowledgements, but to your learning and action in this space. Within an acknowledgement, you can speak to the relationship between colonization and your work, but remember that this is not an opportunity to speak to your own guilt or difficulties with the subject matter.

Expressing emotion and sharing your personal history/learning within a teaching context can be difficult. Therefore, we encourage you to practice your acknowledgements with peers you trust and to seek feedback on your approaches.