Honoring Native Lands and Peoples
Native stories are largely missing from both historical and contemporary narratives of The Mountaineers and our legacy - something we are still grappling with today. One small way that we can begin to recognize and reflect on the fact that we are on Native land is through the process of land acknowledgment. Land acknowledgments recognize and respect Native peoples’ historical and ongoing stewardship of and connection to the land. They can be a first step toward repairing the harm and trauma historically endured by Native peoples.
Land acknowledgments are especially important for an outdoor organization like The Mountaineers, as our programs, courses, and trips occur on land taken from Native peoples. Our organizational land acknowledgment statement is meant to serve as a starting place for our community to shape their own personal acknowledgment.
Read on for educational resources that explore how we can develop deeper connections to the histories of our natural places, including pieces created in partnership with Sacred Lands Conservancy, an Indigenous-led nonprofit with strong ties to the Lummi Nation. For even more resources, visit our virtual education center. Thank you for being on this important journey of learning with us.
Walking the Walk: Action Beyond Land Acknowledgement
In this feature from Mountaineer magazine, guest contributor Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley and Sacred Lands Conservancy share how we can all take action beyond acknowledgment, including by practicing gratitude, generosity, and humility while recreating on the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples.
This Land: An Indigenous Perspective on Land Acknowledgment
We’re partnering with the Sacred Lands Conservancy, an Indigenous-led nonprofit with strong ties to the Lummi Nation, on a series of educational pieces about how to develop deeper connections to the histories of our natural places. In this first installment of a three-part blog series, Lhaq’temish fisherwoman and enrolled Lummi Nation tribal member, Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley, unpacks the practice of land acknowledgment and how you can acknowledge the land in a meaningful and impactful way.
Going Beyond Land Acknowledgments
Last month, we announced The Mountaineers Native land acknowledgment statement. Land acknowledgment is only a first step: read on for more information about how The Mountaineers seeks to honor Native land and peoples.
Announcing The Mountaineers Land Acknowledgment Statement
Land acknowledgments are a first step towards better honoring Native lands and peoples. Learn about our process of developing The Mountaineers land acknowledgment statement, and our commitment to showing respect, appreciation, and support for Native communities.