Living Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are located in Lenapehoking, the unceded territory of the Lenape people.
We further acknowledge that stories of the purchase of this land were lies told to cover up the systematic genocide of the Lenape people.
Despite this genocide, the Lenape are a living people whose culture and wisdom we continue to learn from.
It is our individual responsibility to consistently recommit ourselves to the liberation of marginalized people.
Until we acknowledge the atrocities of the past, we cannot walk together into the future.
This Land Acknowledgement was created in partnership with the Lenape Center who guide us as we bring this acknowledgement into action.
We welcome your thoughts, ideas, critique about our work and content on this page. Please contact us at info@walkabout.org.
Respecting Indigeneity and the Walkabout Name
We acknowledge that the name Walkabout originates from sacred Australian Aboriginal practices. As carriers of this name, we are endowed with the responsibility to interrogate its appropriate use, while also upholding the principles and sanctity of those practices. Indigenous wisdom inspired and continues to be the organizing principle of the Walkabout school model. We regularly consult with a coalition of First Nations peoples which includes the Office of Indigenous Strategy & Leadership at the University of Newcastle to ensure the authentic integration of Indigenous wisdom in our organizational and school model.
In addition to honoring our roots in Australian Aboriginal practice, it is important to us to acknowledge the Indigenous communities that exist where we are. We have provided a list of organizations, some of whom have been integral in our efforts to properly honor Indigenous voices. There are resources below on issues of importance to Indigenous communities in the U.S. and some of their work. Let's strive to learn the history and elevate the works of First Nations peoples present in our communities.
Representation
As with many marginalized groups, Indigenous peoples have been denied opportunities to represent themselves in society and instead have suffered misrepresentation, stereotyping and appropriation at the hands of the dominant culture. Included here are a handful of Native led organizations who are changing the narrative through self-representation.
Important Movements
Below are resources spotlighting some of the important issues facing First Nations Communities. The organizations below represent movements of radical self-love and resistance led by Indigenous Peoples.
Reclaimed Land
The National Tribal Land Association
The Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations
Haverford College: “What does land restitution mean and how does it relate to the Land Back movement? How does it work in practice?”
Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage: “This Land Is Whose Land? Indian Country and the Shortcomings of Settler Protest”
What YOU Can Do Now
Support Reparations Movements in your area
Manna-hatta Fund - all funds go directly to the American Indian Community House which supports the more than 100,000 strong Indigenous community of NYC
Divest from Companies Perpetuating Destruction of Indigenous Lands
Educate yourself about:
The Indigenous presence where you are located, past and present
Issues of importance to Indigenous populations
The experience and contributions of native peoples in the US
Research your own history on the land you inhabit or on which you were raised and how that history played a role in or benefitted from the displacement of native peoples
Bring into your consciousness that Indigenous Peoples are still here, notice the tense used when speaking about Indigenous people, cultures and life-ways