What does it really mean to acknowledge the land? In this episode, we have an insightful conversation with Primavera Reza-Nakonechny, director of Mt. SAC’s First Peoples’ Native Center and a descendant of the Tarahumara or Raramuri people. They are joined by Alisa Chiula, a Mt SAC student of Pueblo descent. Our conversation is led by our host Chisa Uyeki, guiding us through a conversation on the importance of language, the practices and meaning behind land acknowledgments, how Mt. SAC is working to craft a Land Acknowledgement with tribal input, and how we can go beyond statements into meaningful actions.

In addition, our guests share the importance of our spiritual connection to the land, honoring ancestors, plants, and animal kin alike. They also touch on how our daily lives, policies, songs, and prayers can honor the earth we live on. Join us as we explore what it means to move from acknowledgment to meaningful action. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

First Peoples Native Center https://www.mtsac.edu/fpnc/

Native American & Indigenous Heritage Month

https://www.mtsac.edu/fpnc/naihm/naihm.html

https://native-land.ca/
Native Land Digital honors the sovereignty of all Indigenous nations, their lands, and their waters. We recognize that these boundaries and territories are representations of the sacred. This is an honouring of Indigenous resilience past, present and future.

Tips for Creating an Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/

Native American Student Support and Success Program (NASSSP) Grant

California Community College Chancellor’s Office:
On Land Acknowledgement for Community Colleges
American Indian and Alaska Native Student Success
Community College Land Acknowledgement Toolkit

My research

https://laist.com/news/politics/what-to-know-about-land-acknowledgment

National Museum of the American Indian https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/land-acknowledgment

Run time: 28:07 min

To find the full transcript for this episode, click HERE