College institutes land acknowledgement statement
Beginning on Indigenous People’s Day on October 8, Seattle Central institutionalized the use of a land acknowledgement statement that recognizes the original indigenous peoples of the Puget Sound region.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion prepared the statement and it is expected to be read at the beginning of each major campus event. Through this, Seattle Central is showing its respect and gratitude for indigenous people and their enduring relationship to the land. Repeating this statement will also keep histories that are often suppressed or forgotten at the forefront of college dialogue.
This statement was adapted from land acknowledgement statements from the University of Washington, the National Conference on Race in Higher Education (NCORE), and with help from Victoria Gardner, Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer at the UW School of Public Health.
Land Use Acknowledgement Statement:
“On behalf of Seattle Central College, I acknowledge the land on which we stand today as the traditional home of the Coast Salish people, the traditional home of all tribes and bands within the Duwamish, Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. Without them, we would not have access to this gathering and to this dialogue. I ask that we take this opportunity to thank the original caretakers of this land who are still here.”