Land acknowledgement
Every community owes its existence and strength to the generations before them whose hopes, dreams, and energy created the history that led to this moment. Some predecessors were brought here against their will, some were drawn to migrate from their homes in hope of a better life, and some have lived on this land for more generations than can be counted. Truth and acknowledgment are critical in building mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference.
At CEEJH, we create dialogue to strengthen our relationship to land and honor those that have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. We acknowledge the following truths that are often buried:
The map above shows Piscataway territory highlighted in red.
We, at the University of Maryland-College Park campus, are on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway People, who were among the first in the Western Hemisphere.
We live on land that was forcibly and violently taken from the Piscataway People by European colonists.
White supremacy, settler colonialism, and extractive economies historically and presently oppress and displace Indigenous peoples.
Through this land acknowledgement, we pay respects to the Piscataway elders and ancestors. However, we also acknowledge that this is the bare minimum owed to all Indigenous peoples. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us here today and also consider how you can act to reverse these legacies and support land back movements.
The American Library Association has compiled a list of resources for learning more about our local Maryland tribes. Click this link to learn more and follow the links below for more resources: