Maximizing the Impact of Indigenous Land Acknowledgments.

Land acknowledgments, which recognize indigenous communities' rights to territories seized by colonial powers, have become increasingly common nationwide. While some indigenous leaders and activists say they are a waste of time, others are working to make the well-meaning but often empty speeches more useful. Land acknowledgments can provide a first step toward action, such as soliciting support for indigenous community gardens or paying a voluntary land tax. However, they can also feel disempowering and performative if not accompanied by concrete actions to uphold indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.