Statement of Acknowledgement of the Traditional Territory

The following statement is meant to be used by anyone who wishes to acknowledge the traditional inhabitants of the territory on which the Augustana Campus is located and does not have their own words to do so. This territory is named by the Nehiyaw (Plains Cree), who have been its most recent inhabitants, as asiniskaw sipisis, or Stoney Creek.

We [I] acknowledge that the land on which we gather, traditionally known as asiniskaw sipisis (Stoney Creek), is Treaty 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous peoples. The land on which the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta is located provided a travelling route and home to the Maskwacis Nêhiyawak, Niitsitapi, Nakoda, and Tsuut'ina Nations, the Métis, and other Indigenous peoples. Their spiritual and practical relationships to the land create a rich heritage for our learning and our life as a community.

This statement is meant to be used, for instance, as part of the words of welcome for conferences and public events held on campus, or as part of written documents such as websites, brochures, or papers. Professors may also wish to use it during the first class of the semester or include it in their class syllabi. All are encouraged to use it, to adapt it to their audience, or to use their own words if they so desire, if they wish to make such an acknowledgement.

Other similar statements exist at the University of Alberta and pertain more directly to the emplacement of the North Campus in Edmonton.

This statement is not meant to replace them or remove them from use, but rather to complement them and offer words that can be used on their own or in combination with others.

For more information or explanations, please do not hesitate to email augustana.iss@ualberta.ca.

Last Updated on February 16, 2021