CHICAGO — The opening weekend of the Barack Obama Presidential Center was marked by various events and performances, but a particular aspect attracted significant attention. A land acknowledgment addressed the belief held by some on the political left that the United States was established on stolen land. This acknowledgment drew criticism and mockery.
As part of the cultural festivities, a Native American dance show was presented. The show featured the Black Hawk Performance Company, a dance troupe based in the Chicago area, composed of dancers from different Indigenous tribes. The event, held on Saturday, was part of the third day of the center’s grand opening.
The musical and cultural performances included international superstars like John Legend, along with local drum lines. The event took place in John Lewis Plaza, featuring a drum circle and multiple traditional dances and songs, including one honoring a Native American flag. The performance lasted about an hour and engaged hundreds of attendees in the plaza.
Valerie Jarrett, the former senior advisor to President Obama and current CEO of the Obama Foundation, initiated the ceremony on Thursday night. She acknowledged the land as being rightfully attributed to Native Americans, stating, “We’d also like to take a moment to recognize the original inhabitants of the land upon which we are gathered today.” Her comments honored the Anishinaabe, the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi nations.
This acknowledgment was criticized as a performative gesture, lacking substantive action. Many users on X expressed skepticism, suggesting the acknowledgment only highlighted the irony of the situation. A commenter noted, “Obama Presidential Center grand opening begins with acknowledging they’re on stolen land. And then they kept the land.” Conservative commentator Glenn Beck criticized the approach, pointing out the irony of using an $850 million establishment to discuss standing on “stolen land,” suggesting they should “give it back” if they truly believe in the premise.
Amid the controversy, the center features a placard acknowledging Indigenous peoples. The sign states that the Obama Foundation recognizes “the sovereign Indigenous peoples who have, since time immemorial, inhabited and stewarded the lands many of us call home.” It further mentions efforts to combat settler colonialism and includes a 2009 Obama quote reflecting on broken treaties and the treatment of Native Americans.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report. For more insight, you can follow Peter D’Abrosca on X at @pmd_reports or contact him via email at [email protected].
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