Woodburn School Board to discuss land acknowledgment at a future meeting

The Woodburn School Board agreed during a regular meeting called to order at 5:45 p.m. to add a discussion of a land acknowledgment to a future agenda, saying the item should be developed with tribal consultation and substantive background materials.

Presenter (speaker 4) read a short description of what a land acknowledgment is, saying, “A land acknowledgment is a public statement to show respect for the land and those who were here before us.” Committee member (speaker 3) said the district has a draft that has been used in the past and stressed that any public statement should be developed in consultation with local tribes so it is “respectful and meaningful rather than just words without meaning.”

Several board members supported placing the topic on a future agenda and asked staff and colleagues to prepare background information. Chair (speaker 1) asked that members consider how a land acknowledgment would relate to the district’s educational mission and requested that those who bring the item be prepared with relevant context and any existing text. Presenter noted the district has used a land acknowledgment at staff professional development events, and the board said staff will look into how the prior draft was developed and the extent of any prior tribal consultation.

The board did not take a final vote on the content or language of a land acknowledgment at this meeting; members agreed only to add it to a future agenda for fuller discussion.