The Mankato City Council has adopted a Land Acknowledgment. As part of the first Planning Commission Meeting each year, the Planning Commission has been asked to have the Chair read the Land Acknowledgment Statement. The statement is shown below. 
  
City of Mankato Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that we live and thrive in Mahkato (mah-KAH-toh), the traditional homeland of the Dakota (dah-KO-tah) Nation and other Indigenous Peoples. The land we are on holds significance as a cultural and spiritual place for the Dakota Peoples and connects to their vibrant cultures, traditions and ways of life.

We recognize this land was forcibly taken by the U.S. government and acknowledge the deliberate actions of generations that came before us to suppress Indigenous Peoples cultural and spiritual heritage. We also recognize the displacement and exile of the Dakota Peoples and the execution of 38+2 Dakota men.

We honor and respect the ongoing work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous People towards reconciliation efforts in Mahkato, especially Dakota Elder Amos Owen and Mahkato residents Bud Lawrence and Jim Buckley Sr.

We remain committed to moving in a spirit of reconciliation and accountability by offering this land acknowledgment and continuing to:

• Partner, collaborate and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Embrace Indigenous Peoples past, present and future contributions.
• Provide space for traditional and contemporary cultural activities.
• Review policies that impact Indigenous Peoples.

This land acknowledgment will serve as a living document to be reviewed and updated.