Philly Nature 

Philly Nature acknowledges that the land we learn from and engage with is the traditional, ancestral homeland and territory belonging to the Lenni-Lenape People, the original people of this land, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. We acknowledge their continued presence and their continuing relationship with their land. We affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between indigenous peoples of this land and descendants of immigrants, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.” We honor and pay respect to the Lenape People and other Indigenous caretakers of these lands and waters, the elders who lived here before, the Indigenous today, their continuing presence, and the generations to come. According to their example, we thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land. 

In honor of the Lenni-Lenape People and in commitment to resist powers that have stolen land from the Lenape and other Indigenous people and the rights of all disenfranchised people, we raise awareness of the structural racism that disenfranchises people from Indigenous and all minority groups. We stand firm in our commitment to support and defend all marginalized people of this land. We invite you to honor the Lenape People with us and join us in our commitment to work towards social justice by unearthing and correcting all marginalized people’s inequities to the best of our ability.

It is essential to understand the longstanding history that has brought us to reside on this land and to seek to understand our place within that history. Land acknowledgments do not exist in the past tense or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build the mindfulness of our present participation. Land acknowledgment alone is not enough. It’s merely a starting point. Although it is essential to acknowledge the land, it is only a first step. We are all treaty signers and are thus responsible and accountable for the violence that Indigenous people face. Allyship is a continuous process; it is not a designation that one can earn and hold forever. It is also not a label one can give themselves, but one we make from our actions and commitment to standing in solidarity. Ask: how do I plan to take action to support Indigenous communities? How can I support Indigenous organizations by donating time and money? How can I help Indigenous-led grassroots change movements and campaigns and encourage others to do so? How can I commit to returning land? Allies must continually engage in self-reflection and consistently work at being an ally. 

To find out more info about the land you’re on, visit Native Land and Whose Land.