Process of Developing a CNM Land Acknowledgement

The purpose of a land acknowledgment statement is to recognize the settler colonial history of land occupied by a college and identify Indigenous groups who have relationships with the land. An official land acknowledgment statement is endorsed by executive leadership and represents the official position of a college. Indigenous scholars and community members recommend developing a land acknowledgement statement with input and collaboration from Tribal Nations. Other steps can be taken by a college to go beyond a land acknowledgement, such as building relationships between college leaders and leaders of Tribal Nations; returning Native land; allocating financial resources to Indigenous students and communities; recognizing Indigenous ways of knowing; and implementing Indigenous protocols on campus.

The Native American Advisory Council is working with the Office of DEI to develop an official land acknowledgment statement. The CNM Land Acknowledgement Research Sub-Team of the Native American Advisory Council was formed in July 2021. They are working with the Tribal communities of New Mexico to develop a comprehensive, collaborative statement. Members of the Land Acknowledgement Research Sub-Team value input from Tribal Nations and have prioritized relationship-building with those communities. The focus is on respecting the process by not completing an official land acknowledgement statement while these early collaborations with Tribal Nations are still taking place.