22-053 (05-17) Adopt Official City Land AcknowledgementRESOLUTION NO. 22–053
RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN OFFICIAL CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
WHEREAS, a Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement to recognize the original inhabitants of
land currently occupied by profiters of colonial action; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota, originally Mni Sota Makoce, is home to eleven federally recognized tribes
including four Dakota tribal nations: Shakopee Mdewakanton, Sissetonwan (Prairie Island Indian
Community), Wahpetonwan (Upper Sioux Community), Wahpekute (Lower Sioux Community) and seven
Anishniaabe tribal nations: Zagaakwaandagowininiwag (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa), Nagaajiwanaang
(Fond du Lac), Gichi-Onigaming (Grand Portage), Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe),
Misi-zaaga'iganing (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), Miskwaagemiiwi-zaaga'igan (Red Lake Band of Chippewa
Indians) and Gaa-waabaabiganikaag (White Earth); and
WHEREAS, the Dakota people were subject to forced exile and codified dispossession of the land
known as Golden Valley due to actions of the government, traders and land speculators including the Land
Cession 289 and 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux; and
WHEREAS, the Native community in the City of Golden Valley continues to provide positive impacts
in the region through culturally sustaining and rejuvenating activities; and
WHEREAS, the Golden Valley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission developed an action plan
to educate its community about and show appreciation for Minnesota Indigenous Peoples through their
work plan to support Golden Valley’s Native Community; and
WHEREAS, reading a Land Acknowledgement after the Pledge of Allegiance is one active practice of
acknowledging our nation’s foundational history of colonial harm and re-centers indigenous perspectives.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Golden Valley that:
1. The City of Golden Valley establishes a Land Acknowledgement for the beginning of every Golden
Valley City Council, Board and/or Commission meeting.
2. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission is directed to integrate action plan items into its work
plan annually.
3. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission is directed to research the adoption of Indigenous
Peoples’ Day the second Monday of October.
Adopted by the City Council of Golden Valley, Minnesota this 17th day of May 2022.
_____________________________
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Theresa J. Schyma, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: A9DC4B64-3468-4E82-BE6B-44FEA81AD96D