Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement
To the original People of this land.
The land on which the City of Sacramento resides is the seized territory of Sacramento’s Indigenous People. For generations, the convergence of the Sacramento and American Rivers has been a gathering place for many Tribes living throughout the central valley and foothills. Those People are the original stewards of this land.
I would like to acknowledge the Nisenan People; the Southern Maidu People to the north; the Valley and Plains Miwok/Me-Wuk Peoples to the south of the American River; and the Patwin Wintun Peoples to the west of the Sacramento River. I would also like to honor the Wilton Rancheria, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County.
I acknowledge, recognize, and honor the Indigenous ancestors, elders, and descendants whose nations and communities have lived and continue to live on this land over many generations.
What is a land acknowledgment?
A land acknowledgment recognizes and pays respect to the Indigenous Peoples of a place. The word “Indigenous” refers to the first inhabitants of a region. The purpose of a land acknowledgment is to raise awareness about the enduring relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their territories.
Why recognize the land?
Because this blog is about the history of the South Side neighborhood of the City of Sacramento as well as the State of California as a whole, it is important to acknowledge the entire history of the region, including the Indigenous Peoples who lived here for about 13,000-15,000 years before Europeans arrived in the 1500s. It is important to acknowledge the impacts and the dynamics of settler colonialism that persist to this day.