We would like to acknowledge that we are here on the beautiful ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe people, the People of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi.
We recognize the sovereignty of Michigan’s Indigenous nations and historic communities – both those who live here now and those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands.
We want to express gratitude and appreciation to the Indigenous peoples across this continent who have been living and caring for this land from time immemorial, who are still here and will always continue to be present in this place.
We acknowledge the truth that for more than five hundred years, Native nations have demonstrated resilience and resistance in the efforts to separate them from their land and ways of life.
It is important for each of us to not only acknowledge, but seek to understand the history that has brought us to reside on their land and support the process of social justice and reconciliation.
More action needs to be taken to reverse the long-standing practices to erase Indigenous people’s history, language, culture, and existence.
We have a lot more to learn and do.
You are still here.
Thank you for sharing this place with us.