Non-hierarchical, Directly Democratic and Feminist since 1978
Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
Boundaries shown on the map are language areas and not an authoritative depiction of tribal territories. The names listed are the ones First peoples prefer to call themselves. Terms and spellings do not reflect all dialects or names used by First Nations living within the illustrated regions. For more information you can see the Resources links.
The TSSU lies on unceded lands stewarded by the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwitwetlem), Stó:lō, Qiqéyt (Qayqayt), Katzie, and Qw’ó:ltl’el (Kwantlen) nations, as well as the SENĆOŦEN and Hul’qui’minum speaking peoples of Vancouver Island who also know these lands. TSSU recognises the historically inconsistent relationship between the labour movement and Indigenous resistance to colonisation. As workers involved in education and research, we also recognise the ways that universities benefit from the marginalisation of communities including but not limited to houseless, refugee, immigrant, Black, disabled, and Indigenous peoples. Within these contexts, TSSU is committed to standing in solidarity with those also working towards a more just and equitable society, which includes returning land.
Who are Indigenous People?
Under international law, there is no official definition of Indigenous, although the United Nations generally identifies Indigenous groups as independent and self-sustaining societies that have faced discrimination, marginalization and assimilation of their cultures and peoples due to the arrival of a larger or more dominant settler population. In Canada, this includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples based on the 1876 Indian Act.
What is an Indigenous territory acknowledgement?
A territory acknowledgement is recognition that BC is situated on traditional, unceded Indigenous lands. Territory acknowledgements often take place at the beginning of meetings, and the speaker usually identifies the Indigenous peoples who have lived (and often continue to live) in the region. The speaker then might explain the meaning or value this practice holds for them.
Thanks in large part to the work of Indigenous activists, this practice is becoming increasingly common; you may have seen or heard it done. If you don’t know how or why someone might do a territory acknowledgement, this pamphlet and the resources it presents might be a useful tool.
There are many reasons to do territory acknowledgements: historical, personal, institutional, and political.
HISTORICAL
According to historic documents that pertained to Indigenous People like the Royal Proclamation of 1763, Canada’s original people had title to land prior to confederation and treaties had to be negotiated with the newcomers.
However many settler governments have not fulfilled their treaty obligations, which calls the treaties into question. Moreover, the BC provincial government refused to enter into treaty negotiations with Indigenous peoples, so Indigenous claim to the land has not been extinguished. In other words, the land here is unceded. Territory acknowledgements encourage reflection on Canada’s unjust colonial past and present.
PERSONAL
Territory acknowledgements offer opportunity to share the ways you position yourself in relation to the history of colonialism. You can share knowledge you’ve gained about your family histories, or, if appropriate, a piece of information you’ve recently learned in relation to local Indigenous history. What does a territory acknowledgement mean for you, personally?
INSTITUTIONAL
The federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission final reports (2015) explored the ways Indigenous peoples have been and continue to be affected by residential schools and called on educational institutions across Canada to decolonize and Indigenize programs and structures. Though they only represent a first step, territory acknowledgements are widely understood to be a key initial step in the unsettling of settler complacency. Several SFU sources have affirmed the significance of territory acknowledgements (see Resources).
POLITICAL
Acknowledging Indigenous territory is an expression of commitment to reconciliation and working as allies of Indigenous peoples. Certainly, not all non-Indigenous individuals arrived here by the same patterns of immigration. That said, the onus is on all settlers to recognize that their presence here in Greater Vancouver is enabled by the ongoing occupation of Indigenous lands. Once you learn about the history of colonialism and current forms of racism that enable this, you have a political decision to make about whether you want to ignore or come to grips with the implications of that uncomfortable realization. Doing territory acknowledgements is one way to begin that practice.
SFU is situated on the territory of several First Nations. SFU Burnaby occupies territory of the following First Nations:
Squamish / Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
Pronounced SKWA-mish
Tsleil-Waututh / səl̓ilwətaɁɬ
Pronounced tSLAY-wah-tooth
Musqueam / xʷməθkʷəy̓əm
Pronounced MUSS-quee-um
Kwikwetlem / kʷikʷəƛ̓əm
Pronounced Kway-quit-lum
SFU Vancouver occupies territory of:
Squamish
Pronounced SKWA-mish
Tsleil-Waututh
Pronounced tSLAY-wah-tooth
Musqueam
Pronounced MUSS-quee-um
SFU Surrey occupies territory of:
Katzie / q̓ic̓əy̓
Pronounced KUT-zee
Kwantlen / q̓ʷa:n̓ƛə
Pronounced Kwant-len
Kwikwetlem
Qayqayt / qiqéyt
Pronounced Kee-kite
Sto:lo / Stó:lō
Pronounced STOH-lo
Musqueam
The best practice is to refer to each First Nations community specifically. Sometimes speakers refer to “the Coast Salish People” or “Coast Salish territory,” but Indigenous observers have pointed out that “Coast Salish” is an academic linguistic construction that doesn’t have a historic root within Indigenous communities.
A good time to bring this practice into teaching is the first week of classes. Some instructors may prefer to do a territory acknowledgement each time the class meets, or may encourage students to share the responsibility of the territory acknowledgement. While territory acknowledgments are not mandatory, it is a gesture of recognition to the original people of Canada.
The TSSU is committed to the principles of social justice, including decolonization. If you have questions about how to implement this principle in your work as a TSSU member, or if you have a suggestion for union activities and policies, please get in touch with us. We are here to help, and we are eager to learn.
