Guidance on using the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation Official Land Acknowledgement

Elon University sits on land that has a rich and storied history stretching back to American Indian tribes that became the first stewards of this area of central North Carolina. The roots of these people who were the first to call this land home and their long-standing and meaningful connection to this area are still visible today and essential to acknowledge.

Elon University strives to honor the legacy of the Siouan-speaking American Indian tribes who first lived in this area and the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation (OBSN), which became the most prevalent by 1650. Members of the OBSN continue to live in this area today and carry forward their ancestors’ history, traditions, and love for this land. Learn more about the OBSN on its website.

In recognition of this long history and connection to this land, the OBSN adopted an official land acknowledgement in 2022 and Elon University joins with the OBSN tribal community in encouraging all to treat this land with the respect, love and care that their ancestors carried for this land.

In the spring of 2023, the OBSN Tribal Council drafted a shorter version for non-Indigenous tribal members. The longer statement is a welcome from members of Indigenous tribes to other people. The OBSN invites non-tribal members, including the Elon University community, to use the shortened version in honoring the Indigenous people and their relationship to the land. In addition to other community-building efforts, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to consider the following guidance in using the shorter version of the official land acknowledgement.

1. The university does not require the use of the land acknowledgement for any event, syllabus, or document. Instead, this statement is to be used as an opening and reflective practice that promotes mindfulness of the original stewards of the land and all people’s responsibility to care for it.
2. The land acknowledgement should be recited, printed or presented in the official shortened version with no edits or paraphrasing and as stated on the Occaneechi website at obsn.org.
3. Members of the Elon community may include the land acknowledgement in their meetings, classes, programs, events, competitions, performances and other gatherings to respect the long-standing and ongoing presence and culture of Indigenous people.
4. The event host or highest-ranking member of the sponsoring organization or department in attendance should read aloud the statement with respect and sincerity as part of the opening.
5. Users of the land acknowledgement may print it or a link to it in university documents or event programs.
6. Land acknowledgements tend to evolve in their language as tribal communities adjust these living documents to retain their purpose and remain relevant. Therefore, users should check the obsn.org website periodically for land acknowledgement updates.