OpenHistoricalMap/Land acknowledgment
A land acknowledgement formally calls attention to the relationship between our current endeavors and the experience of indigenous communities with respect to their traditional lands and ways of life. This practice is relevant to OpenHistoricalMap, as a project that seeks to recount geographical history through a mix of conventional and novel methods and sources, in a field of study that has not always acknowledged indigenous peoples' experiences.
The OpenHistoricalMap community is working on a land acknowledgment for the project. The current draft is as follows:
While mapping history, we must all remember the biases and perspectives of the mappers when they portrayed indigenous lands and people. When using technology, we must all remember the biases inherent not just in our sources, but in our tools, our taxonomies, and our perspectives. The OHM Community asks all of its participants to honor and respect the history of indigenous people, to recognize that a place's history rarely began with exploration or colonial settlement, and to be open to questions about inclusivity.
Feedback is welcome; please discuss this draft on the talk page or in another of the project's communication channels.
References
- “Land Acknowledgement”. ARLIS/NA St Louis 2020. San Jose, California: Art Libraries Society of North America. July 29, 2020. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021.