We gather as ELGL on the unceded lands of many Indigenous Peoples. 

As we are a virtual conference, and spread across the country, attendees are encouraged to text your zip code to 1-844-910-ELGL (3545). You will get a response naming the Indigenous Peoples who are the traditional caretakers of the land on which you live. Special thanks to Brendan Babb, the City of Anchorage i-team, and Code for Anchorage for setting up this learning opportunity.

Please take a moment to acknowledge the traditional caretakers of the land where you live, and commit to learning more about your indigenous communities. A land acknowledgement recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of the land, and the relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.

Land acknowledgments do not exist in the past tense or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. Our land acknowledgement is only a small step on the road to allyship: let this be a springboard for reflection and action.

Suggested resources:

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment from the Native Governance Center

Changing the Narrative About Native Americans: A Guide for Allies from First Nations Development Institute's Reclaiming Native Truth Project

The Map Of Native American Tribes You've Never Seen Before on NPR's All Things Considered, about mapmaker Aaron Carapella

If you have additional resources you'd like to see here, or other thoughts regarding this land acknowledgement, please use the "Contact the Organizer" form at the bottom of the page to let us know.