Indigenous Lands Acknowledgment

NatureConnect New York acknowledges that our work operates on the ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples, both in New York and around the globe. We honor the enduring relationship that Indigenous communities have with their territories and recognize the profound knowledge they hold about stewardship and sustainability.

From Buffalo to Montauk, this land has been home to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, including the Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Mohawk Nations, as well as the Lenape, Munsee, and Shinnecock peoples. These nations have stewarded this land for thousands of years, maintaining deep spiritual, cultural, and ecological ties to it and, whose histories and cultures continue to shape this region. We commit to respecting their sovereignty and rights, listening to their voices, and integrating Indigenous perspectives into our action and practices.

We recognize and honor the enduring presence of these Indigenous communities and their continued resilience. We commit to supporting the rights, sovereignty, and well-being of Native peoples, and we strive to learn more about their histories, cultures, and contributions.

As we engage with nature and promote ecological well-being, we pledge to work towards reconciliation, support Indigenous rights, and collaborate with Indigenous communities in their efforts to protect and restore the land. We recognize that our collective future depends on honoring the wisdom of those who have cared for this land for generations.

We honor and acknowledge all the ancestors who came before us, whose wisdom, resilience, and sacrifices have shaped the world we inherit today. Their lives, struggles, and stories continue to echo through the generations, guiding us toward a future built on their enduring strength.

We also recognize the generations yet to be born, the future ancestors whose paths we are paving with our actions today. May we honor their potential by cultivating a world of justice, respect, and care, ensuring they inherit a legacy of love, wisdom, and responsibility.