Land Acknowledgement and Racial Justice: Approaches from Different Settler Societies
Learn about the origins and purpose of land acknowledgements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Examine their role in racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and whether they create real change or remain symbolic gestures.
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The course examines land acknowledgements in settler-colonial societies such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We will explore their historical contexts, current use, critiques, and connections to broader struggles for Indigenous sovereignty and racial justice.
What will we cover?
• The history and purpose of land acknowledgements in North America, Australia, and New Zealand • Differences in how settler societies approach land acknowledgements • Critiques of land acknowledgements: symbolic recognition vs. meaningful action • Indigenous perspectives on land acknowledgements and their limitations • Case studies of Indigenous-led initiatives beyond land acknowledgements, such as treaty negotiations, land-back movements, and policy reforms
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the historical and political context of land acknowledgements in different settler-colonial nations • Have a sense of how different countries implement land acknowledgements • Begin to assess whether land acknowledgements contribute to racial justice or remain symbolic • Recognise examples of Indigenous-led actions that go beyond acknowledgements toward tangible change • Discuss opportunities for land acknowledgement elsewhere
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn via tutor lecture with slides, discussion and group tasks.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking .
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Your tutor will share their other courses with you.
Olivia Durand is global historian doing work and teaching on the politics of history and memory, settler colonialism and colonial port cities in addition to the history of 19th century Russia, Ukraine and America. Olivia has worked at Oxford University, the Free University in Berlin and the Institute of Historical Justice and Reconciliation in the Hague and is keen to offer more courses at City Lit.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/land-acknowledgement-and-racial-justice-approaches-from-different-settler-societies1989751Land Acknowledgement and Racial Justice: Approaches from Different Settler Societieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/a/land-acknowlegdment-hpc299-square.jpg5959GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Global & regional politics/Courses/vm/Racism and racial justice228511771677135421370512285117716771653<p>Learn about the origins and purpose of land acknowledgements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Examine their role in racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and whether they create real change or remain symbolic gestures.</p>002990717Land Acknowledgement and Racial Justice: Approaches from Different Settler Societies5959https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/a/land-acknowlegdment-hpc299-square_2.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-06-19T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC2885959Land Acknowledgement and Racial Justice: Approaches from Different Settler Societies473859Olivia Durandland-acknowledgement-and-racial-justice-approaches-from-different-settler-societies/hpc288-2526<p>Learn about the origins and purpose of land acknowledgements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Examine their role in racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and whether they create real change or remain symbolic gestures.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-19 00:00:00<p>The course examines land acknowledgements in settler-colonial societies such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We will explore their historical contexts, current use, critiques, and connections to broader struggles for Indigenous sovereignty and racial justice.</p><p>Learn about the origins and purpose of land acknowledgements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Examine their role in racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and whether they create real change or remain symbolic gestures.</p><p>• The history and purpose of land acknowledgements in North America, Australia, and New Zealand<br/>• Differences in how settler societies approach land acknowledgements<br/>• Critiques of land acknowledgements: symbolic recognition vs. meaningful action<br/>• Indigenous perspectives on land acknowledgements and their limitations<br/>• Case studies of Indigenous-led initiatives beyond land acknowledgements, such as treaty negotiations, land-back movements, and policy reforms<br/> </p><p>• Understand the historical and political context of land acknowledgements in different settler-colonial nations<br/>• Have a sense of how different countries implement land acknowledgements<br/>• Begin to assess whether land acknowledgements contribute to racial justice or remain symbolic<br/>• Recognise examples of Indigenous-led actions that go beyond acknowledgements toward tangible change<br/>• Discuss opportunities for land acknowledgement elsewhere<br/> </p><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.<br/> </p><p>You will learn via tutor lecture with slides, discussion and group tasks.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking .</p><p>Your tutor will share their other courses with you.</p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsvirtual475938HPC288NONEFri19/06/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetOlivia DurandBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-19T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities5959Land Acknowledgement and Racial Justice: Approaches from Different Settler Societiesland-acknowledgement-and-racial-justice-approaches-from-different-settler-societies/hpc288-2526<p>Learn about the origins and purpose of land acknowledgements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Examine their role in racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and whether they create real change or remain symbolic gestures.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-19 00:00:00<p>The course examines land acknowledgements in settler-colonial societies such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. We will explore their historical contexts, current use, critiques, and connections to broader struggles for Indigenous sovereignty and racial justice.</p><p>Learn about the origins and purpose of land acknowledgements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Examine their role in racial justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and whether they create real change or remain symbolic gestures.</p><p>• The history and purpose of land acknowledgements in North America, Australia, and New Zealand<br/>• Differences in how settler societies approach land acknowledgements<br/>• Critiques of land acknowledgements: symbolic recognition vs. meaningful action<br/>• Indigenous perspectives on land acknowledgements and their limitations<br/>• Case studies of Indigenous-led initiatives beyond land acknowledgements, such as treaty negotiations, land-back movements, and policy reforms<br/> </p><p>• Understand the historical and political context of land acknowledgements in different settler-colonial nations<br/>• Have a sense of how different countries implement land acknowledgements<br/>• Begin to assess whether land acknowledgements contribute to racial justice or remain symbolic<br/>• Recognise examples of Indigenous-led actions that go beyond acknowledgements toward tangible change<br/>• Discuss opportunities for land acknowledgement elsewhere<br/> </p><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.<br/> </p><p>You will learn via tutor lecture with slides, discussion and group tasks.</p><p>There are no additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper or a digital equivalent for notetaking .</p><p>Your tutor will share their other courses with you.</p>Politics & economicsGlobal & regional politicsconfigurable
