THE "RELEARN OUR LAND" INITIATIVE
Raising awareness on Indigenous cultural history in Pittsburgh
ABOUT THE "RELEARN OUR LAND" INITIATIVE
Bringing cultural awareness to the Pitt community
The land we occupy today has a deep-rooted and complex history that has been hidden and misrepresented. There is a stark injustice in education curriculums that deny the truth of aboriginal groups, Indigenous culture, and the history of displacement by white-colonialism ideology that plagues our country to this day. We see the effects of Indigenous erasure and cultural genocide all across the land: Alarming rates of poverty, violence against women, lack of access to clean water, denial of voting rights, crumbling infrastructure, and environmental destruction on reservations, to name a few.
The “Relearn Our Land” Initiative was formed to acknowledge these injustices and develop a platform to consciously uplift the Indigenous communities of the Northeast region, including the Delaware, Shawnee, Iroquoian, Hopewell, Adena, and Monongahela peoples. Native tribes are the true founders of ‘environmentalism’, with a culture rich in preserving ecosystems and honoring the power of the land and all its beings. By developing an educational garden space on campus accessible to students and staff, we hope to honor their commitment to natural resources and acknowledge the threats they face today as environmental defenders. The garden, located behind Posvar Hall, will highlight historical and native plants used for medicinal and decorative purposes, as well as feature pollinators that will contribute to biodiversity conservation efforts. This will combine engagement and awareness with equity and access, and fuel a continued discussion of land acknowledgement.
This is only one small step towards repairing injustices, but we hope this effort allows for the original narrative of the land to shine through, as well as work towards demanding a clear understanding of modern Indigenous culture in education systems. We can no longer continue to deny native groups basic human rights or fail to address the sacredness of the ground we stand on. A common phrase of respect in Iroquois language notes, “The light in me honors the light in you.” Through this initiative, we hope to honor the light of all aboriginals and Indigenous peoples, and create a center of peace and harmony on campus that takes the campus community one step closer towards our goals of equity and justice.
THE PITT LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We recognize that the University of Pittsburgh occupies the ancestral land of the Adena culture, Hopewell culture, and Monongahela peoples, who were later joined by refugees of other tribes (including the Delaware, Shawnee, and Haudenosaunee), driven here from their homelands by colonizers. We honor these traditional Native inhabitants of this place and uplift their historic, unique, and enduring relationship with this land, which is their ancestral territory. We pay our respects to their Elders and their past, present, and future people, community, and culture. While we cannot change the past, we commit to continued gratitude for the gifts of nature, along with ongoing respect, care, and stewardship of the land, each other, and future generations.
OUTREACH
No One Should be Silenced
We believe that the best solutions for society come from within, and make it our mission to build awareness so that this is a continued conversation on campus. Let us know what you would like to see more of.
GET INVOLVED
If our mission speaks to you, consider volunteering for our Spring 2022
project where we will be planting and constructing our garden space. Contact us to find out more.
Also stay up-to-date on our initiative, learn more about the history of our region, and discover the environmental challenges facing Indigenous communities today:
VOLUNTEERING
Our work is never done, and we can use all the help we can get. One of the ways you can take part is by Volunteering. Spread the word about all that The "Relearn our Land" Initiative is doing, and help us gain the support we need.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Understand the scarred history faced by Indigenous groups throughout our region and across the country. Recognize that genocide and ethnic cleansing were tools used to silence voices of Indigenous and Aboriginal peoples.
Also learn about the cultural significance of plants and the power of the land. Recognize that Indigenous peoples are the true founders of "environmentalism."
CURRENT EVENTS
Learn more about what the effects of historical barriers placed upon Indigenous, native, and Aboriginal groups look like today. Find out more about how you can support underrepresented groups across the country.
Discover the importance of embracing the history of ancestors while navigating the modern world.
Take a close-up look at what environmental injustice in the Indigenous community is like today.
CONTACT
The University of Pittsburgh
Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Partnered with the Student Office of Sustainability
Sponsored by The Green Fund