We begin by acknowledging the land—because the land is fundamental to our wellbeing, our existence, and to all we do as a forest school and as humans.
Ripple Forest School is located on the ancestral homelands of the ᏣᎳᎩ (Tsalagi, Cherokee), as well as the S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Miccosukee, and likely other Indigenous peoples whose names and relationships to this land have been erased through colonization. This land, known to the U.S. as Cession 42, was not freely given.
We recognize that the Cherokee people are not only ancestors of this land, but present-day relatives—especially members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee—who continue to live, care for, and defend their homelands in Western North Carolina today.
We also honor the more-than-human kin of this place—waters, trees, birds, animals, fungi, and plants—as relatives, and commit to living in respectful relationship with them, following Indigenous teachings where we have been given permission.
As white settlers and educators living and working on unceded land, we know that reconciliation is not a metaphor. We have not received permission to be here, and we are not yet in reciprocal relationship with the Original Peoples. We recognize that acknowledgement without action is hollow, and we commit to learning, listening, and finding ways to materially support Indigenous sovereignty, resurgence, and land rematriation.
We recognize that the story we've been taught of the United States is not the whole story. We recognize our responsibility as educators, mentors, and community leaders to examine what we teach, how we lead, and the example we set, and how that affects the land, Indigenous, Black, and People of Color, and seven generations into the future. We aim to "embrace Indigenous values while maintaining a critical eye for cultural appropriation".
A land acknowledgement without an action plan is meaningless. Please feel encouraged to ask about about ours.
Ripple Forest School is located on the ancestral homelands of the ᏣᎳᎩ (Tsalagi, Cherokee), as well as the S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), Miccosukee, and likely other Indigenous peoples whose names and relationships to this land have been erased through colonization. This land, known to the U.S. as Cession 42, was not freely given.
We recognize that the Cherokee people are not only ancestors of this land, but present-day relatives—especially members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee—who continue to live, care for, and defend their homelands in Western North Carolina today.
We also honor the more-than-human kin of this place—waters, trees, birds, animals, fungi, and plants—as relatives, and commit to living in respectful relationship with them, following Indigenous teachings where we have been given permission.
As white settlers and educators living and working on unceded land, we know that reconciliation is not a metaphor. We have not received permission to be here, and we are not yet in reciprocal relationship with the Original Peoples. We recognize that acknowledgement without action is hollow, and we commit to learning, listening, and finding ways to materially support Indigenous sovereignty, resurgence, and land rematriation.
We recognize that the story we've been taught of the United States is not the whole story. We recognize our responsibility as educators, mentors, and community leaders to examine what we teach, how we lead, and the example we set, and how that affects the land, Indigenous, Black, and People of Color, and seven generations into the future. We aim to "embrace Indigenous values while maintaining a critical eye for cultural appropriation".
A land acknowledgement without an action plan is meaningless. Please feel encouraged to ask about about ours.
Want to learn more about Indigenous perspectives, issues, culture, and history? Visit our Ripple Indigenous Resources document.
Learn more from Indigenous scholars:
|
|
|