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Assembly agrees to introduce land-acknowledgement ordinance; debate over who should read it
Summary
The assembly voted to put a land-acknowledgement ordinance up for introduction next week and discussed whether the statement should be read by an assembly member/mayor or by invited representatives from Native organizations.
The assembly set a land-acknowledgement ordinance for introduction next week and held an extended discussion on who should read the statement at regular meetings.
Assemblymembers and members of the public who spoke in the work session described two competing approaches: (1) have the governing body read a short, consistent statement as an institutional acknowledgement, or (2) invite local Native people, tribal organizations or museum staff to present an acknowledgement or prayer at meetings when available.
Assemblymember Jared Griffin urged the assembly to own the statement as an institutional act. "We should be the ones acknowledging the history and the gaps," he said, arguing that a statement the assembly affirms and reads itself integrates the recognition into policy and practice. He warned that delegating reading to outside guests could create an appearance of tokenism if not managed carefully.
Several others, including Assemblymember Turner (Joe) and community representatives who had been consulted, said neighborhood and tribal members appreciate an invitation to read or speak and that some local Native residents view the acknowledgement as a way to increase community engagement. Turner reported outreach to tribal contacts and said "the consensus seems to be that, although it is a good idea...they would prefer that that happen" with local people sometimes presenting their own acknowledgement when they volunteer.
Assemblymember Megan noted the Aleutian people tend to be reserved and might not frequently volunteer, but she said they would be honored by an invitation. Several assembly members said a practical fallback is to include a short version in the ordinance and have the mayor or an assembly member read it if no guest is available.
Mayor Roberts said the council will introduce the ordinance next week, follow up with a work session and public hearing, and asked members to consider wording ahead of the public meeting. Roxanne, the borough manager, offered a brief personal endorsement: "I think land acknowledgments are cool," she said.
Why it matters: land-acknowledgement statements are symbolic but can shape how governing bodies frame policy and outreach to Indigenous communities. The assembly discussed both the symbolic value and the practicalities of sustaining a reading program over time.
Ending: The land-acknowledgement ordinance will be introduced at the next meeting; assembly members asked staff to continue outreach to Native organizations and to prepare a short version as a practical fallback if no community reader is available.
