A complication marked Sunday’s Democratic Party Nominating Convention in Michigan. Vice Chair Portia Roberson attempted to deliver a land acknowledgment but faced challenges in pronunciation.

During her introduction, Roberson recognized Michigan as the ancestral and contemporary home of the Anishinaabe, part of the Three Fires Confederacy. However, mispronunciation of the word ‘Anishinaabe’ led to audience corrections, prompting Roberson to ask for the correct pronunciation. She encouraged a woman in the audience to repeat the word until she got it right.

Roberson acknowledged her lack of preparation. She attempted to continue, mentioning tribes such as the Odawa, Ottawa, Ojibwe, Chippewa, and Potawatomi, but faced further pronunciation issues. Apologizing for not rehearsing beforehand, she left the stage amid audience assistance. The Michigan Democratic Party did not comment on this incident.

“I might get another one wrong. You may have to correct me, and I want to get this right,” Roberson admitted.

Land acknowledgments have gained attention, viewed by some as efforts to address historical injustices towards Indigenous peoples. The acknowledgment highlights current issues in acknowledging and pronouncing Indigenous names properly.

The convention took place at the Lansing Center. Though sparsely attended, it featured Democratic nominees for statewide office. Each candidate delivered brief speeches to supporters. The event’s main draw was Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who criticized Donald Trump and JD Vance on economic matters and advocated for socialized healthcare.

Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson aimed her criticism at Rep. John James, claiming he favored Trump over the interests of Michigan residents. Other notable attendees included Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who emphasized data privacy concerns.

“When I’m secretary of state, your data will belong to you, not the federal government,” said Gilchrist.

The convention highlighted ongoing debates within Michigan’s Democratic Party. These focus on balancing progressive and moderate views while appealing to the broader electorate.