Land Acknowledgment Activity Before the Colonists, the Land of the 13

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Land Acknowledgment Activity

Before the colonists, the land of the 13 colonies belonged to the many indigenous people. Over time their land began to become smaller and smaller as the colonists wanted more.

Analyze the picture below. What do you notice?

So what can you do now? You can participate in a land acknowledgment.

What is a land acknowledgment? A land acknowledgment is a statement that recognizes and respects the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those who’s territory you reside on, and a way of honoring the Indigenous People who have been living and working on the land since time immemorial.

Here is a video that explains more: https://youtu.be/ETOhNzBsiKA

Now, we want you to participate in your own land acknowledgment. Read the following passage. This land acknowledgment relates to the land you are currently on.

Let us take a moment to acknowledge the original people of this land on whose ancestral territories this Nation was founded upon. Let us acknowledge all tribal nations both federally recognized and unrecognized. Let us acknowledge the Lummi Nation (Laq’temish), Nooksack Nation, and Coast Salish peoples on whose stolen land we live. Let us acknowledge the many tribes both past and present including the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Mohegan Tribe, Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Tribal Nation, Muscogee Creek Nation, Cherokee Nation, Piscataway Indian Nation, Assateague People of Delmarva, Susquehannock People, Patuxent People, Pocomoke Indian Nation, Ababco Tribe, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Nauset People, Massachuset Tribe, Nipmuc Nation, Pocomtuc People, Mohican People, Mi'kmaq People, Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe, Pennacook People, Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Hatteras People, Catawba Indian Nation, Chowanoke People, Tuscarora People, Shawnee Tribe, Seneca Nation of Indians, Narragansett Indian Nation, Nitantic People, Yamasee People, Powhattan People, Iroquois Peoples, and Algonquian Peoples, upon whose stolen land the 13 colonies were founded.

Let us also ensure that we support Indigenous movements, and take an active role in addressing the continual impact of colonization. Let us create and seek out opportunities to develop partnerships with Indigenous people within and beyond colonized and reclaimed spaces.