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Council refers formal land‑acknowledgement rule to ordinance committee; CEIC to undertake broader community discussion
Summary
Councilor McDonald asked that the council formalize a land acknowledgement practice; the council voted to refer an amendment to the City Council rules (insert land acknowledgement at subsection 3.01) to the Ordinance Committee and signaled the Community Engagement & Inclusion Committee would also consider broader community input.
Councilor McDonald formally removed paper 28‑25 from the consent agenda and asked that the council amend the City Council rule book to add a land acknowledgement under subsection 3.01. He said the change would formalize a practice the council had been testing and should be developed with community input and integrity.
On McDonald’s motion to refer the rule change to the Rules & Ordinance Committee, seconded by Councilor Winslow, the council voted unanimously in favor. Council members and President O’Malley also agreed the Community Engagement & Inclusion Committee (CEIC) would undertake a separate, broader conversation with indigenous community members about wording and next steps.
McDonald said he intends that the rules amendment be limited to adding a land acknowledgement item while the CEIC would consider outreach, potential linkages to the Massachusetts indigenous legislative agenda and any community‑driven language.
Speakers: Councilor McDonald (sponsor), Councilor Winslow (second), Council President Michael O’Malley.
Why this matters: A formal land acknowledgement would change the council’s opening practice and could prompt additional programming or commitments depending on the CEIC’s findings. The referral to committee starts a documented review process rather than immediate adoption.
