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Land Acknowledgment

  • Page ID
    33337
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    We acknowledge that this important textbook was created throughout the unceded territory of California, home to nearly 200 tribal nations, including those whose tribal lands cross colonial state boundaries. We acknowledge and honor the original Peoples and their descendants, past, present, and emerging, of the various regions where we authors now live and work. We support ongoing movements for tribal sovereignty and we stand in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples worldwide. A land acknowledgment is a critical step towards working with Native communities to secure meaningful partnerships in the stewardship and protection of their homelands and cultural resources. In this respect, we are continuously striving to be good relatives.

    The image in Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) titled "Native Californian Tribes" by Timara Lotah Link (Chumash Coastal Band) features text that reads "Native People of This Place. In all of North America, California has always been home to the largest number of different Native people and their cultures. Many of the tribal groups on this map speak different languages and have different traditions. Their homelands––established for thousands of years––extend far beyond state boundaries. These Native cultures overlap in ways that this map cannot show, through shared resources, trade, and family relationships." The map shows the tribal areas of eight-five out of the hundreds of California Native nations in their own languages and features a quote by Richard Bugbee (Luiseño, raised by Kumeyaay) that reads, "Language is a reflection of our environment, unique to each area."

    Map of California and its native tribal groups and languages
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Map of present day boundaries of California, locations of native Californian tribes, and their languages. "Native Californian Tribes" by Timara Lotah Link, Santa Clara University Digital Exhibits, is available for free online with an undefined license.

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\) includes the names of the tribes in the following list:

    • ​​Tolowa
    • Yurok
    • Chilula
    • Wiyot
    • Chimariko
    • Mattole
    • Nongatl
    • Sinkyone
    • Lassik
    • Kenneto
    • Cahto
    • Coast Yuki
    • Huchnom
    • Lake Miwok
    • Wappo
    • Coast Miwok
    • Ohlone
      • Awaswas
      • Chochenyo
      • Karkin
      • Ramayutsh
      • Tamyen
      • Chalon
      • Mutsun
      • Rumsen
    • Yokut
      • Choinumni
      • Chukchansi
      • Dumna
      • Gashowu
      • Tachi
      • Wukchumni
      • Yowlumni
      • Bankalachi
      • Chowchilla
      • Nutunutu
      • Esselen
    • T’epoteha’l
    • Chumash
      • yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini
      • Amuwu
      • Kuyam
      • S’amala
      • Shmuwich
      • Micqanaqa’n
      • Hul Kuhk;u
      • Kasthik
      • Michumash
    • Tongva
    • Kumeyaay
    • Karuk
    • Shasta
    • Hupa
    • Wintu
    • Nomlaki
    • Yuki
    • Yana
    • Kankow
    • Patwin
    • Nisenan
    • Sierra Miwok
    • Mono
    • Modoc
    • Achumawi
    • Atusgewi
    • Maidu
    • Northern Paiute
    • Washo
    • Numa
    • Owens Valley Paiute
    • Western Shoshone
    • Tubatulabal
    • Kawaiiisu
    • Southern Paiute
    • Kitanemuk
    • Tatviam
    • Kawaiisu
    • Maarangea’yam
    • Ivatim
    • Chemehuevi
    • Mojave
    • Hakhidhoma
    • Payómkawichum
    • Kuupangaxwichem
    • Quechan

    This land acknowledgement is adapted from the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, CSU San Marcos.

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