VT Schools Embrace Land Acknowledgements
An article in the Rutland Herald, written by Jim Sabatoso
Published March 26, 2021
As societies around the world continue to confront and acknowledge their troubled histories of mistreating Indigenous Peoples, land acknowledgements are becoming increasingly common.
A land acknowledgement is a formal statement read by an institution recognizing Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of its land. Statements are often read at the beginning of public events, but can also be included in written and electronic documents disseminated by the institution.
Here in Vermont, educational institutions are now starting to adopt land acknowledgments, too. Rich Holschuh, representative of the Elnu Abenaki Tribe, said it’s fitting that schools are leading the way since “they’re in the business of enlightening and sharing information with other people.”