Ultra Advising, LLC, Ultra Offices, Tivoli, NY
A land acknowledgment statement can be an anchor for a much larger program of reckoning with the history of the land on and with which we work and live. For public-facing organizations, this process can involve educating communities and thinking, internally and collectively, about reparations. In this workshop, we offer a structured approach to developing an organization-wide recognition of the history of land theft and subsequent exploitation/extraction while also articulating meaningful actions that your staff and board can take toward land justice and reparations.
The workshop in Tivoli will then begin with a discussion, led by members of Ultra Advising, of where your organization is in the process, and ways to develop communication so that everyone has a role in articulating a land acknowledgement statement. We will talk about all aspects of the process — from encountering resistance within your team, to where to put a statement on your site and website, to what related actions are viable for your community to take. We will have lots of examples and resources to review together as we lay the groundwork for your processes.
Then we’ll be sure to zero in on the specifics of developing your land acknowledgment statement and attaching it to achievable and meaningful actions. Indigenous educator Heather Bruegl will offer insight into the history of land loss in the United States that affects Indigenous people. After discussing this history, she will offer ways that your organization can participate in land acknowledgements and related actions. Heather will also offer the opportunity for your organization to work with her one on one to make sure your organization is doing the work to be as inclusive as possible.
Finally, we will have a wrap-up discussion together to outline next steps. The goal is to support one another in thinking about restorative land justice actions we can all take.
Anyone interested can also join the Ultra staff and Ms. Bruegl at a local restaurant for a (pay-for-oneself) dinner after the workshop.