Project Success’ New Land Acknowledgment

Dakhóta Thamákhočhe (Dakota land maps) By: Marlena Myles

As part of the organization’s ongoing work in inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, Project Success has been working for the past few years on a land acknowledgment in partnership with community. Acknowledging the land in which we inhabit is to formally show respect to the Indigenous community, honor their ancestral homelands and recognize them as traditional stewards of this land. These days, a land acknowledgment is also meant to evoke reflection on the attempted “erasure of Indigenous people and the trauma caused by colonialism.”

Having a land acknowledgment shows recognition to these traumas and an understanding of the historical racism and ongoing battles the Indigenous community face. But this recognition is just the first step. It is important to go beyond land acknowledgement and take actionable steps in support of our Native communities.

Project Success’ land acknowledgment is not only specific to the lands we reside on, but also includes a commitment to our Native students with whom we serve and a pledge to build partnerships with our Native Communities to listen and learn so that we may bring culturally responsive programming to our students.

Our Organization Land Acknowledgment

Project Success and the Minneapolis Public Schools in which we serve reside on the ancestral homeland of the Dakota people.  We acknowledge and celebrate the Dakota, as well as the Anishinaabe people, and the many other tribal nations that have lived and continue to live in Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota) for countless generations. Project Success honors with gratitude the land we occupy and recognizes the importance of the historical context of broken treaties, forced migration and colonial policies and practices. We also acknowledge the Dakota people have historically been denied free access to their homeland, traditions, ceremonies, and sacred sites.

We are committed to identifying practices rooted in colonialism that are still harmful to our Native communities today. And we strive to provide resources, support and programs that give access to our young Native scholars. Project Success celebrates Indigenous leaders in our schools, community and in our local and state government. We strive to build partnerships with our Native communities and will listen, learn and work continuously to bring culturally responsive programming to our students so that they may have the tools and confidence that will take them through the rest of their lives.   

To check out additional resources in relation to understanding the purpose of a land acknowledgment, the Indigenous history of our state, and more: click here!