LibGuides: Indigenous People of Oakland County: Land Acknowledgement at OU

Land Acknowledgement, Heritage Preservation at OU

Land Acknowledgement Statement
Preservation Efforts

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Oakland University seeks to formally honor and acknowledge the historic and cultural significance of the land on which it has been built.

To that end, a land acknowledgement statement has been adopted to better recognize the heritage of Indigenous peoples, and to promote an open dialogue of shared understanding and respect.

Oakland University resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabe, known as the Three Fires Confederacy, comprised of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. The land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit and makes up southeast Michigan.

In recognizing the history and respecting the sovereignty of Michigan’s Indian Nations, Oakland University honors the heritage of Indigenous communities and their significant role in shaping the course of this region. Further, we recognize the wrongs done to those forcibly removed from their Homelands and commit to fostering an environment of inclusion that is responsive to the needs of First Peoples through our words, policies, and actions.

The preservation and perpetuation of customs and traditions of Indigenous nations are essential to our shared cultural heritage. A deep understanding of Native peoples’ past and present informs the teaching, research, and community engagement of the university in its ongoing effort to elevate the dignity of all people and serve as shared stewards of the land.

For additional information and resources related to our Land Acknowledgement Statement and commitment to recognizing our campus' cultural heritage, review the links below.

Land Acknowledgement Statement - Oakland University
Widely supported throughout the university, the statement reflects the values at the heart of OU’s continual engagement to shape a more knowledgeable, diverse and fair society.
Diversity & Values - Oakland University Libraries
Oakland University Libraries are committed to the work of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility for our staff, the campus, and the local community. We acknowledge the historical role that libraries have played in the systematic suppression of underrepresented groups and recognize the need to actively address these inequalities.
Indigenous Approaches to Teaching - Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL)
How can a deeper understanding of Native people’s past and present inform our teaching? While Indigenous cultures are greatly diverse, these and other resources focusing on teaching in higher education yield some patterns, such as an emphasis on storytelling and listening, community-mindedness, and seeing our learning as happening with physical motion and our tangible surroundings.
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For more information on this topic, click the following link to be directed to CETL's "Indigenous Perspectives on Teaching and Learning: Faculty Resources" guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JvIXXS0zh5ls89QRfYbNfcBNHqwxWJAsuuvuxJAGSZM/edit#.

Heritage Preservation Efforts at Oakland University

Oakland University seeks to better represent the historic significance of the Indigenous peoples whose cultures helped to shape the landscape on which the university has been built.

For information on the university's recent efforts to preserve and promote Native American heritage, please review the links below.

Diversity at OU - Native Americans
Information about the history of OU's efforts to promote a dialogue of mutual respect and recognition of all people and cultures.
Gidinawemaaganinaanig: Endazhigiyang / All My Relations: The Place Where We All Grow
This is the community home-page and blog for Gidinawemaaganinaanig: Endazhigiyang. On this page the community will post updates about returning this land to itself and its original stewards, events related to the land, and the journey of ensuring that Oakland University’s Land Acknowledgement is one of action and trust.
Oakland University becomes 1st US campus to return land use to Native American community - ClickOnDetroit.com
While some U.S. colleges and universities have initiatives recognizing this, Michigan’s Oakland University is the only campus in the country to actually return land to the Native community. (written by Joseph Goral)
OU Celebrates Native American Heritage Month
Students and faculty have collaborated across campus to celebrate Native American Heritage Month through November with several dynamic events. (Oakland University News, Oct. 27, 2022)
Preserving Native American Heritage
November 2022 brought the first-ever Native American Heritage Month to Oakland University. Led by the Native American Advisory Committee, the series of events hosted by multiple schools across campus was a continuation of the efforts to make Oakland’s recent Native American Land Acknowledgement meaningful and impactful. (written by Jilian Wolf)