A land acknowledgement is a traditional custom in many native nations and communities that dates back centuries. Today, we utilize this acknowledgement to recognize and pay respect to the original stewards of the land that we occupy. Reading, speaking and hearing words of recognition is an important step in creating collaborative, accountable, continuous, and respectful relationships with Indigenous nations and communities.

The New Harmony Project recognizes the importance of understanding and honoring the history of the Indigenous land we occupy. We would like to acknowledge that The New Harmony Project holds programs on the ancestral land seized from the Kickapoo, Kaskaskia, Osage, Shawnee, Myaamia, Ogaxpa and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ People. We wish to pay respects to those communities, and their elders past, present and future.

We recognize that this acknowledgement alone is insufficient and does not undo the legacies of violence and displacement of Indigenous People. We ask you to join us in the ongoing practice of uncovering such truths on the path to decolonization and reconciliation. You can find more information about the Indigenous land you are currently occupying at native-land.ca.