Land Acknowledgment
海角社区 acknowledges our presence in the traditional ancestral land of the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples. This land remains unceded territory. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory. 海角社区 honors and respects the Gabrielino/Tongva ancestors and their connection to this land.
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Land Acknowledgment FAQs
What is LBCC鈥檚 approved land acknowledgment statement?
Following is LBCC鈥檚 approved land acknowledgment statement:
鈥満＝巧缜� acknowledges our presence on the traditional ancestral land of the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples. This land remains unceded territory. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this territory. 海角社区 honors and respects the Gabrielino/Tongva ancestors and their connection to this land.鈥�
Please note: It is not appropriate to change the language of the statement.
What is a land acknowledgment?
A land acknowledgment is a traditional custom that dates back centuries in many Native nations and communities.
Why should we do a land acknowledgment?
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Today, land acknowledgments are used by Native Peoples and non-Natives to communicate solidarity with the injustices to Indigenous people and recognize Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of the lands on which we now live.
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Speaking and hearing words of recognition is an important step in creating collaborative, accountable, continuous, and respectful relationships with Indigenous nations and communities.
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It is also a way to communicate to Indigenous students, employees, and visitors that they are welcome and respected at LBCC, while bringing visibility to LBCC鈥檚 Indigenous communities.
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A land acknowledgment also aligns with the Framework for Reconciliation, which was adopted by the LBCCD Board of Trustees in June 2020, and begins with 鈥淎cknowledging the existence and long-standing impacts of systemic racism in Long Beach and the country.鈥�
When should we do a land acknowledgment?
Land acknowledgments can be spoken at the beginning of public and private gatherings, from school programs and sporting events to town halls. Acknowledgments can be written or verbal.
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We encourage a land acknowledgment:
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In your 海角社区e-mail signature
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In your syllabus or Canvas page
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When giving a talk
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We highly encourage a land acknowledgment:
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Welcoming/Kick-off events
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First meeting of a group or collaborative body
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First class of the semester
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Grounds newcomers and could initiate further discussion throughout the year
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We expect a land acknowledgment:
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Public campus-wide event of 50 or more people
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Commencement or ceremonial event
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Conference, symposium, lecture series, training, or other event for a group of 50 or more people
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Who should do a land acknowledgment?
Any person can do a land acknowledgment if it is motivated by genuine respect and support for Native peoples.
How was LBCC鈥檚 land acknowledgment developed?
海角社区referred to UCLA鈥檚 American Indian Studies program and Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), which consulted with local districts including LAUSD on how they use land acknowledgments. Tongva cultural leaders worked with UCLA to establish options for these acknowledgments.
海角社区then consulted with local Tongva representatives on the language for our statement and incorporated their suggested changes.
Have other campus governance groups adopted the land acknowledgment?
Yes, the Associated Student Body (ASB) voted at their November 8, 2021, meeting to include a land acknowledgment statement, and it was instituted at the start of their meetings beginning November 22, 2021. The 海角社区Academic Senate also voted at their April 15, 2022, meeting to include a land acknowledgment statement at the start of their meetings beginning April 22, 2022.
Which Indigenous communities have a relationship with Long Beach?
Generations of Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luise帽o, and Kumeyaay Tongva people have lived and gathered in Long Beach, including, but not limited to, the sacred site of Puvungna, which is recognized by the California Native American Heritage Commission鈥檚 (NAHC) Sacred Lands Inventory.
How does 海角社区honor and celebrate Native Americans, beyond the land acknowledgment?
海角社区celebrates Native American Heritage Month every year in November with educational events and programs, as well as . Tongva community members were invited to participate in the opening event for the Social Justice Intercultural Center in Spring 2022, and the land acknowledgment will be included on a plaque mounted in new buildings as they are opened. 海角社区also continues to build relations with the Tongva community to encourage and support access to LBCC鈥檚 many services and resources, as well as to educate the 海角社区community about Indigenous history.