UIUC and Land
Prompt : What role do you think U of I (and/or Uni) should play in addressing social justice issues, particularly related to Indigenous dispossession and its role in local housing segregation (two issues we’ve discussed in connection with U of I). I think that the term "Land Acknowledgement" is misleading. This phrasing frames it as one distinct action that can be repeated as many times as necessary but is just for all intents and purposes, one and done. In addition, calling it an "acknowledgment" allows for it to stop there without a need for any further action, with just acknowledging...what exactly? It's a little unclear. The University clearly views it as acknowledging the fact that this land used to belong to other people, but not the method by which it was acquired. The Native American House's approach does include this second part, but their version is of course, optional. You could argue, and I think I would, that this intentional ignorance of t...