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.
Ripple Forest School, Ripple Bikes, and Ripple Movement & Music are 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 Indigenous communities. 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".
Ripple Forest School, Ripple Bikes, and Ripple Movement & Music are 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 Indigenous communities. 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".
Want to learn more about Indigenous people, issues, culture, and history? Visit our Ripple Indigenous Resources document.
Child-Centered Land Acknowledgment
We want to remember that this forest is not just ours. A long time before we came here, and still today, this land has been cared for by Indigenous people—especially the Cherokee people. This is their home, and we are guests here.
The trees, waters, animals, birds, and plants are all part of this place, too. We treat them like family, because they are.
We didn’t get permission to be here, so we try to be respectful guests. We are learning how to listen, take care of the land, and support the Indigenous people who still live here today.
We’re always learning and doing our best to be kind, careful, and grateful. We say thank you to the land and to the people who have loved and protected it for so long.
We want to remember that this forest is not just ours. A long time before we came here, and still today, this land has been cared for by Indigenous people—especially the Cherokee people. This is their home, and we are guests here.
The trees, waters, animals, birds, and plants are all part of this place, too. We treat them like family, because they are.
We didn’t get permission to be here, so we try to be respectful guests. We are learning how to listen, take care of the land, and support the Indigenous people who still live here today.
We’re always learning and doing our best to be kind, careful, and grateful. We say thank you to the land and to the people who have loved and protected it for so long.
Learn more from Indigenous scholars:
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