Land ACKNOWLEDGeMENT Ride

About The Land Acknowledgement Ride

The Land Acknowledgement Ride is to bring visibility to Indigenous land and representation to the forefront in cycling. Ride with #NameTheChange campaigners in solidarity with Kanza peoples and allies to learn more about the land and people of the lands you live, work, and cycle on. If you’re in Kansas we’ve provided a brief history of the Kanza and details of the lands you will  ride through. Be sure to educate yourself before you go, stop, observe, and extend gratitude to the stewards and land you ride through.

For those who will be joining digitally, please visit the Land Acknowledgement Ride FACEBOOK group to join wherever you are. Share your ride on social media with #LAR2020 #landacknowledgementride #namethechange. See more details below.

History Of Kanza And Flint Hills 

Kanza is the official name for the Kaw people, contrary to popular sources and belief. According to “The Kaw People” by Dr. William Unrau, in 1673 Father Jacques Marquette’s map maker recorded a Kansa village and in 1861 the state of Kansas took its name from this first irrefutable historical reference without even asking the Kanza people for approval. They are the “People of the South Wind,” who lived in Kansas long before white settlers arrived. The Kanza were the predominant tribe in what became the state to which they gave their name (Kansas), also taken without permission. Their territory extended over most of present-day northern and eastern Kansas, where DK rides through broken treaty land. They are a federally recognized tribe now located in Oklahoma.

Why And How To Do A Land Acknowledgment 

Land acknowledgement is a stepping stone to honouring broken treaty relationships. They are a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life, an actionable step towards legitimate reconciliation. Land Acknowledgement is a personal connection and expression of relationship with the Land. It can also be  done at the beginning of ceremonies, lectures, or any public event. It is a way to recognize the history of colonialism, the need for change in settler colonial societies, and one’s own connection to the Land.

The following is an example of an acknowledgement statement that could be used within any event setting and the day ride: 

I/We are gathered on the unceded land of the Kanza peoples. I ask you to join me in acknowledging the Kanza community, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. I acknowledge that [Kansas] was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous peoples, including those on whose land this event/ride is located. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to beginning the process of dismantling the ongoing legacies of settler colonialism. 

If you aren't sure which community or communities to acknowledge, https://native-land.ca/ is a great initial resource! 

Share On Social Media - Join FB Group To Share Your Ride:

Ride from wherever you are with #landacknowledgementride #LAR2020 and #NameTheChange. Share your ride on social media including a land acknowledgement of who’s ancestral lands you ride through, what you’ve learned and your connection to it. Continue to educate yourself on local treaties, connect to your local Nations, spread awareness of land stewardship and Indigenous representation in the outdoors.