Territorial Statements
It is anticipated that individuals at the University will open each University meeting and gathering with an acknowledgement of the Blackfoot Confederacy territory. Further, individuals may, at their discretion, use either the long or short statement for opening remarks in University gatherings. These statements are presented as examples to use in acknowledging the Blackfoot people and their territory.
For further ideas on land acknowledgements, feel free to watch Dr. Cutcha Rising Baldy’s lecture on Youtube: “What good is a land acknowledgement?”
Long Statement for large institutional meetings or small public events:
Oki, and welcome to the University of Lethbridge. Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning SacredBuffalo Stone. The University of Lethbridge acknowledges and deeply appreciates the Siksikaitsitapii peoples’ connection to their traditional territory. We, as people living and benefiting from Blackfoot Confederacy traditional territory, honour the traditions of people who have cared for this land since time immemorial. We recognize the diverse population of Aboriginal peoples who attend the University of Lethbridge and thecontributions these Aboriginal peoples have made in shaping and strengthening the University community in the past, present, and in the future.
Sample Short Statement for opening remarks at small, internal events/meetings:
Oki, and welcome to the University of Lethbridge. Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University is located in traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Aboriginal peoples who havehelped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.
Sample Statement for Calgary Campus to be used at events/meetings at the Calgary Campus:
Oki, and welcome to the University of Lethbridge. Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University of Lethbridge is located on the Bow Valley College Campus located in traditional Niitsitapi territory in the City of Calgary. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Aboriginal peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.
* Siksikaitsitapii (Sik-si-kay–tsida-be) is Blackfoot for Blackfoot Confederacy
** Blackfoot Confederacy comprises the Kainai, Piikani, Amskapiipikani, and Siksika First Nations
*** Niitsitapi is Blackfoot for “Blackfoot-speaking real people”
**** Blackfoot Elder Bruce Wolf Child named the University of Lethbridge “Iniskim”
