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The Inter-Tribal Council of AT&T Employees (ICAE) membership is open to all AT&T employees.
Many of our members are not of Native American descent but support the Mission and Goals of ICAE.
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Land Acknowledgment Initiative
The Inter-Tribal Council of AT&T Employee’s (ICAE) is proposing that a Land Acknowledgement be implemented initially before ERG and EN employee events that are sponsored by D&I. Our hope is to share our efforts with receptive business units as well. To further this reconciliation effort throughout AT&T, we hope to have this initiative adopted at the corporate level.
Conducting a Land Acknowledgement is a traditional custom that dates back centuries in many Native American nations and communities. Today, land acknowledgments are used by Native and non-Native People alike to recognize Indigenous Peoples*
who are the original inhabitants and stewards of the lands on which we now live and work each day.
The Inter-Tribal Council of AT&T Employee’s would like to ask all Employee Group Leaders support for this initiative that we feel is long over-due and one that can potentially begin a reconciliation process for the benefit of all whose cultures and heritage are tied to the land we live and work each day. The history of the forceful removal of Native Americans and Indigenous from their homelands have resonating impact still today.
“Let us pause for a moment to acknowledge the traditional stewards of the lands that we now reside on, and especially our
ancestors, descendants, and all Indigenous people who live now and have ever lived in our regions of Turtle Island.”
*pause*
– Thank You –
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What is a Land Acknowledgement?A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. The term “Turtle Island” is used across North, Central, and parts of South America, as well as Hawaii & New Zealand. Another variation, “Turtle world” is used in India and China.
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How to do a Land Acknowledgement?Open your meeting or event with the following statement: “Let us pause for a moment to acknowledge the traditional stewards of the lands that we now reside on, and especially our ancestors, descendants, and all Indigenous people who live now and have ever lived in our regions of Turtle Island. *pause* Thank you” You may repeat as written or customize to name the indigenous people* of your location by entering your zip code to identify the Native Stewards at https://native-land.ca/ * Indigenous peoples, also referred to as Native Americans, First people, Aboriginal people, Native people, are culturally distinct ethnic groups. * First Nations people, a Canadian government term for their native community
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Who can do a Land Acknowledgement?Anyone can give a land acknowledgement; in fact, it is more powerful when given by a non native person. We cannot emphasize enough that it be done respectfully. If you ask an indigenous person or community to give a land acknowledgement, please consider a donation to their community.
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What is Turtle Island?Turtle Island is a reference for North & Central Americas, used by some Indigenous Peoples* in the United States and First Nations people in Canada and some Indigenous rights activists. The name is based on a common North American Indigenous creation story. Many Native communities including India, China, Hawaii, etc., refer to the earth as a Turtle. * Indigenous peoples, also referred to as Native Americans, First people, Aboriginal people, Native people, are culturally distinct ethnic groups. * First Nations people, a Canadian government term for their native community
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When is it appropriate to do a Land Acknowledgement?Any time you are leading a meeting, there is an opportunity. Any time that you are speaking inside or outside of work, there is an opportunity.