Recognition
Land Acknowledgement
The Fargo-Moorhead Coalition to End Homelessness acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of the Dakota, Ojibwe, and other Indigenous peoples who have cared for this place since time immemorial.
This region sits on land that was and continues to be a site of gathering, trade, and community, where relationships between people and the land were guided by reciprocity, respect, and care. The systems of displacement and homelessness that exist today are rooted in the same colonial processes that dispossessed Indigenous peoples of their land and homes.
We recognize that acknowledging the land means also recognizing our responsibility to act. The Coalition commits to building relationships with Indigenous partners and leaders in our region, to learning from Indigenous models of community, belonging, and care, and to advancing housing and resource systems that restore connection, dignity, and self-determination.
We express our gratitude to the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples and to all Indigenous peoples whose ongoing stewardship, resilience, and leadership continue to teach us what it means to belong to a place and to each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a land acknowledgement?
A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects the Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land.
Why a land acknowledgement?
The FM Coalition recognized the importance of establishing an official land acknowledgement statement as a way to expand inclusivity.
Recognizing land allows for the creation of a safe space, open dialogue, and community building. It is a way to acknowledge, appreciate, and respect the land we meet on while also recognizing the Indigenous Peoples (past and present) who live and work the land.
When/where should this land acknowledgement be used?
A land acknowledgement is usually verbally given before the start of a large gathering or special event. The FM Coalition land acknowledgement was also crafted for written materials and for use by Coalition partners.
