The library is in the process of developing a Native Land Acknowledgement, and we look forward to working with community partners to create this statement.

What is land acknowledgment and why are we making one?

A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and honors the original Indigenous peoples who lived and continue to live on the land we occupy today. As a cultural institution, we believe it is our ethical duty to provide truthful information to the community we serve. By developing a land acknowledgment statement we commit to supporting Indigenous history, voices, stories, and experiences within our collections, partnerships, and programming.

Explore our new collection of books on local Indigenous people and cultures:

Local Indigenous History Collection. The library has developed a new collection of books with the goal to focus on the people who lived in our area prior to European settlement, those who were removed from these lands, as well as those who remained and lived in the Chicago area. This collection can be found in the Kathrine Shackley Room for Genealogy and Local History.

Local Organizations

American Indian Center of Chicago: The American Indian Center of Chicago (AIC) promotes "fellowship among Indian people of all Tribes living in metropolitan Chicago."
American Indian Association of Illinois: The American Indian Association of Illinois strives to transform American Indian education into an experience founded in Native culture, language, and history fused with knowledge, excellence, and tribal values which will enhance tribal nations and urban native communities where American Indian families work, live, worship, attend school, care for their elders, and raise their children.
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian: The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is one of only a handful of museums across the country that focuses exclusively on the art, history and culture of Native American and First Nation peoples from throughout the United States and Canada. It promotes public understanding of cultural diversity through first voice perspectives.
Midwest SOARRING Foundation: Offers assistance, when asked, as a facilitator to the tribes regarding repatriation concerns, educates the public about various American Indian cultural issues, environmental issues, and builds community among all people.

Resources

Native-Land.ca: This tool can be used as a starting point to discover the original people of the land on which you are settled. This site has content from Indigenous lands around the world and is a useful tool to help connect you with Indigenous nations in your area.
Native Governance Center: A Native-led nonprofit organization that serves Native nations in Mni Sota Makoce, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgment: A guide and call-to-action to spread the practice of acknowledgment of traditional Native lands at the opening of all public gatherings.
What are land acknowledgments and why do they matter?: Indigenous writer Selena Mills illustrates the importance of land acknowledgments—and shares perspectives about this newly popular form of reconciliation.