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 the real issue ultimately just strengthens what the land acknowledgment is intended to combat, namely white supremacist colonization. 

    What the U of I has done here is much more subtle than most of the history of colonization in this nation, but when you look at the bare bones of it, it's the same process. They have taken the recommendation of some Indigenous people but warped it so that they don't lose any of their control. In fact, it gives them even more power because of the appearance of sympathy towards the cause of Indigenous activism. They have taken a practice meant to address their place in taking over the land of Indigenous people, controlling the telling of Indigenous stories, and determining the course of many Indigenous lives, and turned it into something self-congratulatory that demands no further action or reparation. "The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign recognizes the land acknowledgment statement is an expression of gratitude and appreciation...and a way of honoring the Native peoples who have been living and working the land from time immemorial."

    I think that the first thing that UIUC could do is take the advice of the Native American House, a group that obviously has informed opinions on these issues and we know could recommend a better statement. In addition, though, the U of I could take some actual action other than simply acknowledging a sanitized version of the history of this land. Not only is the U of I's position on Native land something that is part of the institution's past and present, but with the Chief only 15 years behind us, some serious reckoning is overdue. While simply examining our history will never be enough, and the U of I needs to support Indigenous activism and respect the wishes and desires of Indigenous faculty, students, and community members, we could at least maybe start with being honest about our past before we decide how to proceed in future.