Bytes and Pieces

Chapters Add Land Acknowledgment Statement to Meetings

“We begin with gratitude for nearby waters and land….”

Several chapters in states, provinces and nations are reaching out to their members by including a short respectful statement at the beginning of their meeting acknowledging that the lands we live on and prosper from were first settled by aboriginal people. The statement is called Land Acknowledgement and provides an opportunity to show respect for the original people who inhabited the land. Such a statement was recently read at the opening of an International Executive Board meeting by board member Kathleen Buligan. Many Alpha Delta Kappa members are descendants of the people often called First peoples, First Nations, Aboriginal people, Indigenous or Native people. Land Acknowledgement statements came into usage when many countries signed the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and implemented Truth and Reconciliation Policies. Those policies acknowledge the harm done and seek to repair relationships with aboriginal peoples. The Land Acknowledge statement is one small gesture towards that goal.

Here are some examples of Land Acknowledgments that can be adapted to acknowledge the aborginal peoples and lands of any state, province or nation.

Australia: “Reconciliation Australia acknowledges and pays respects to the past, present, and future traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual, and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Canada: “We acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudonosaunee, Algonquin, and Huron Wendat peoples, nations who have sought to walk gently on this land. We seek a new relationship with the original Peoples of this land, one rooted in and based on honor and deep respect.”

University of New Mexico:“Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico-Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache- since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations, and we also acknowledge our committed relationship to indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history.”

Kathleen suggests that sharing these statements with students is a good way to open a conversation about the history of land settlement and to start an aboriginal theme study. Alpha Delta Kappa is proud to again this year partner with Bytes & the Alzheimer’s Association in the annual The Longest Day (TLD) campaign on June 21. Now is piecestime for chapters to make plans for its Longest Day activity and to add it to its calendar. Members have raised more than $763,000 over the years for TLD with activities ranging from walk-a-thons to card parties. Information about how to donate will be available on the International website. Register teams and activities at alz.org/adk. Use the promo code FIGHT for complimentary registration.

Concern for others is a hallmark of A∆K. Members have given generously of time, talent and financial resources to charitable efforts all over the world. The Alzheimer’s Association is another way that members can give to a worthy cause. Over 3.8 million of the more than 6 million people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in the United States are women.

Funds from TLD help the Alzheimer’s Association to advance research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure, while ensuring that all those affected by the disease today have quality care and support.

Help Is a Washington Tradition

It is a tradition in Washington to connect each chapter with a liaison from the State Board. The assignments this year were done by State Co-Presidents-Elect Mary Jo Heller, WA Alpha Delta, and Karen Santos, WA Alpha Tau. The liaisons help with forms, give suggestions for fundraisers, remind members of scholarship opportunities and provide any assistance requested. An important task of the liaisons is to remind chapters that the State Board cares about every member. Chapters are encouraged to share their good ideas. Liaisons are also asked to attend three meetings of the chapters assigned to them. In addition, Board chairs also serve as liaisons, as Mary Jo and Karen say; this gives the chairs a better understanding of the workings of the State Board and makes them more likely to consider running for a state office. The program means that no chapter needs to struggle alone. There is a sister readily available to help. The Co-Presidents-Elect are interested in hearing ideas from other states about how they include the needs of all the chapters in the S/P/N organizations.

“Realize that everything connects to everything else.” ~Leonardo da Vinci