COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Citing the state's new anti-DEI law, Ohio State University has banned certain statements that acknowledge lands historically occupied by Native Americans.
The concept is known as land acknowledgement, and Ohio State argues that it falls under Senate Bill 1, passed earlier this year.
"The problem I see here is that the university's interpretation of S.B. 1 now restricts us, in many situations, from even stating historical facts about Ohio's historic tribes, their treaties and the laws that became part of Ohio's origin story," said Elissa Washuta, director of OSU's American Indian Studies Program. "These facts are not controversial beliefs."
How Ohio's property tax relief effort may raise ratesWashuta is a Cowlitz tribal member, and she spoke with NBC4 to share her perspective, not as a representative of the university. She said Ohio State's new guidance, which says university representatives cannot issue land acknowledgements unless they are directly related to a course, has had a "chilling effect" on university conversations about the state's Native peoples.
Washuta said she, like many Native scholars, has complicated feelings about land acknowledgements, which can be seen as uplifting to Indigenous history or as hollow activism without action. She said at its most basic, land acknowledgements name the Native peoples who lived in a place. She worried the university's limitations will interfere with sharing basic facts about Ohio's historic tribes.
The university said the change was due to Senate Bill 1, a new law that bans campus DEI programming and stops universities from endorsing "any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy." It does not define diversity, equity and inclusion, leaving room for interpretation. See previous coverage of S.B. 1 in the video player above.
The university said land acknowledgements are considered controversial topics and banned them on university websites, social media, event promotions or in courses unless directly relevant to the subject matter. The law does not expressly limit land acknowledgements.
Are police departments misinterpreting Ohio law on body-camera fees?A university spokesperson said the change also stems from Ohio State's policy on institutional statements, which was enacted in 2023. The preexisting policy directs Ohio State to only issue statements when the subject directly affects the university or its students or is of importance to the area and offers educational value.
No other university appears to have interpreted S.B. 1 the same way. Miami University still lists a land acknowledgement under its Office of the President webpage. Bowling Green also has an online land acknowledgement, but added a disclaimer that it is for educational purposes and does not represent an official statement.
John Low, a retired Ohio State professor emiritus of history and citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, said the decision made him sad. He previously served as the director of the Newark Earthworks Center, an OSU academic center dedicated to researching and uplifting Midwestern Indigenous cultures. The Earthworks Center's land acknowledgement webpage is now labeled as an archive of past grant work.
"For the general faculty, I feel sad they're restricted," Low said. "I think its an infringement on free speech rights."
Franklinton deli reopens after 11-year hiatusOhio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said the change does not entirely eliminate land acknowledgements. He said faculty are free to teach as they see fit and can address land acknowledgements when relevant.
"After speaking with faculty leaders, we made some revisions to make clear that Ohio State remains committed to academic freedom, and the university’s academic freedom and responsibility rules have not changed," Johnson said.
Washuta said she was glad the university updated its guidance for courses, but felt it still limits research announcements, public lectures and other faculty tasks that are not approved for land acknowledgements. Washuta was also concerned that the university did not clarify what qualifies as a land acknowledgement.
"The Native community at Ohio State is miniscule -- we are dramatically underrepresented, compared to the demographics of the state of Ohio -- and I worry that this interpretation of S.B. 1 will only make the Native community and American Indian Studies less visible at OSU," Washuta said.
OSU's Indigenous student population has consistently declined over the past 15 years. In 2011, Ohio State had 169 American Indian/Alaska Native students. Of the more than 67,000 students enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year, only 46 are American Indian/Alaska Native.
Ohio 'natural family' bill props up nuclear family, supporters sayJohnson said Ohio State continues to support Indigenous students and faculty, pointing to the Earthworks Center and American Indian Studies program. Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day, which Ohio State is observing in tandem with Columbus Day on a delayed schedule. Low was glad they still celebrate and said things like the land acknowledgement limitations happen cyclically.
"I've lived long enough to see the roller coaster ride of people being supportive to Indigenous peoples and not supportive, supportive and not supportive," Low said. "I'm not a fortune teller, but I suspect, based on my lived experience, that this too shall pass."
Hence then, the article about faculty concerned by ohio state restricting statements about native lands was published today ( ) and is available on NBC4 ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Faculty concerned by Ohio State restricting statements about Native lands )
Also on site :
- Disgraced former Centinela Valley schools Superintendent Jose Fernandez dies
- Gold Star Distribution Inc., Issues Recall of Certain FDA-Regulated Products in Three States Including Drugs, Devices, Cosmetics, Human Foods, and Pet Foods
- ’Beverly Hills, 90210’s Jason Priestley Shares Bold Callout After ‘Worst’ Travel Experience