At Wayne State University, we strive to make campus an inclusive environment for everyone. We welcome all people and understand that their unique experiences, talents and perspectives make us a stronger organization and better individuals. The university has a long history of meaningful engagement with society, with diversity and inclusion a core value in both our mission and our strategic plan.
Wayne State is remarkable for many things, but our ability to open doors to people of all backgrounds, races, creeds and walks of life is our proudest legacy. And our unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion and social justice continues to be our North Star.
Wayne State University rests on Waawiyaataanong, also referred to as Detroit, the ancestral and contemporary homeland of the Three Fires Confederacy. These sovereign lands were granted by the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, and Wyandot nations, in 1807, through the Treaty of Detroit. Wayne State University affirms Indigenous sovereignty and honors all tribes with a connection to Detroit. With our Native neighbors, WSU can advance educational equity and promote a better future for the earth and all people.
"A land acknowledgement is an optional statement, often given at the beginning of organized events, celebrations and activities, or published in printed materials. A shortened land acknowledgement can also be used for email signatures. The purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten."
Guide to Land Acknowledgements, Native American Institute, Michigan State University