The Roosevelt Park Zoo gratefully acknowledges the Native Peoples on whose ancestral lands we sit. We praise the Anishinaabe and Assiniboine peoples, as well as the other sovereign nations of the northern plains whose lands encompass North Dakota today: The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation, the Spirit Lake Nation, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.

The Roosevelt Park Zoo acknowledges our responsibility to join with these Tribes to inspire and advance the restoration of relationships between humans and the living world around us.

A territorial or land acknowledgement involves making a statement recognizing the traditional territory of the Indigenous people(s) who called the land home before the arrival of settlers, and in many cases still do call it home. Indigenous peoples have been acknowledging the land at the start of gatherings, ceremonies and events for time immemorial. With the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, more non-Indigenous people are becoming aware of the importance.

Providing a land acknowledgement at the beginning of an event or meeting gives time for reflection and demonstrates recognition of Indigenous lands, treaties and peoples. It involves thinking about what happened in the past and what changes can be made going forward in order to further the reconciliation process. Land acknowledgements mark a small and important step in the process of reconciliation and building a positive relationship with Indigenous peoples. By making a land acknowledgement you are taking part in an act of reconciliation, honoring the land and Indigenous presence which dates back over 10,000 years.

Using and participating in a land acknowledgement is a way to recognize the enduring presence and resilience of Indigenous peoples in this area for time immemorial. They are also a reminder that we are all accountable to these relationships.

The United States is home to 574 federally recognized tribes. North Dakota is the proud home to 5 tribal nations. With nearly 40,000 Native Americans today living in this state, representing nearly 5% of the state’s total population, the sixth highest percentage among all 50 states.

As an organization, we would like to respectfully acknowledge that our zoo is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Assiniboine peoples, who have been the stewards and keepers of this land for generations. We recognize the history of colonization and displacement that has occurred on these lands, and we are committed to learning more about the Indigenous peoples who are present in our community today, honoring their culture and sovereignty, and working towards meaningful reconciliation and partnerships.

As the Roosevelt Park Zoo looks to build a new future, we feel that it is necessary to celebrate and conserve our past. In the spirit of collaboration, we reach out to our fellow zoos and regional community in order to demonstrate our commitment to the First Peoples of the northern plains and the preservation of their culture and oral histories.