Cal State Fullerton’s Land Acknowledgement
We collectively acknowledge that Cal State Fullerton is located on traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. Before this land was colonized it was cared for and called home by the Tongva and Acjachemen Peoples. We recognize that this land holds great historical, spiritual, and personal significance for its original inhabitants.
To ensure that we are truly catalyzing change rooted in this social justice principle, Cal State Fullerton recognizes and continually support and advocate for the sovereignty of the Native nations in this territory and beyond. By offering this land acknowledgment, we affirm tribal sovereignty and our commitment to the tribes that historically called this land home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a land acknowledgement?
A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of a given geographic area and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their ancestral territories.
Why is a land acknowledgment important?
Recognizing the land is a practice that honors and respects contemporary Indigenous peoples’ connection to their land since time immemorial. Using a Land Acknowledgment is a way to express gratitude and appreciation for those whose territory one resides or works on. From an Indigenous perspective, it is important for people to understand the history that brought them to the land and that people seek to comprehend their place within that history. This is especially important since most Indigenous peoples were dispossessed of their lands through deceptive processes.
Most Indigenous people consider colonialism as a current and ongoing process. Land Acknowledgments serve to build mindfulness and awareness of colonialism, both past and present. Acknowledging the land is also a common protocol practiced by Indigenous peoples and allies worldwide.
How do I use a land acknowledgement?
It’s important to remember a land acknowledgement is meant to recognize, honor, and pay respect to Indigenous peoples. Please be mindful of not using the land acknowledge in a performative manner. For more information on how to intentionally and consciously use a land acknowledgement, please check out the Land Acknowledgement Tool Kit
, created by the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center.
