I respectfully acknowledge that the land I live and work on is the ancestral homeland of the Wahpekute (wah-PEH-koo-tay) Dakota, one of the original bands of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires).
This acknowledgment is more than words—it is a practice of remembrance and reverence. It’s a way of honoring those who came before, those who still carry the memory of this land in their bones, and the sacred relationship they hold with it.
While I cannot undo the harm of colonization, I can live in right relationship. This includes acknowledging that we are on stolen land, educating myself and others, and making offerings—both spiritual and financial—to Indigenous-led efforts of healing, land return, and sovereignty.
I believe that healing begins when we remember.
Remember who came before.
Remember what was taken.
Remember how to be in sacred reciprocity with the land.
If this resonates with your heart, I invite you to:
Learn Whose Land You're On
Use this interactive map to find out which Indigenous nations traditionally cared for the land you now live on:
Give Back with Gratitude
If this acknowledgment moves something in your heart, I invite you to make a donation (a modern-day form of reparation) to an Indigenous-led organization working to restore land, language, and sovereignty.
Lower Sioux Indian Community – Cansa’yapi
lowersioux.com
A Wahpekute Dakota community preserving their culture, land, and language in southern Minnesota.
Native Governance Center
nativegov.org
A Native-led nonprofit supporting tribal sovereignty across the upper Midwest.
Even a small donation is a sacred gesture. Reciprocity restores balance.
Sacred Ground Ritual
(Free Download)
I’ve created a gentle ritual you can use to honor the original stewards of your own land, wherever you are. It includes a simple ceremony with natural offerings, prayer, and reflection. You can download it here:
Suggested Reading List
Want to Learn More?
These books and voices have shaped my understanding of what it means to live in reverence with the land and its people.
I encourage you to buy from local or Indigenous-owned bookstores whenever possible.
By Indigenous Authors
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A poetic, powerful blend of Indigenous wisdom, plant science, and spiritual ecology. A beloved and accessible entry point into land-based reciprocity.
The Wisdom of the Native Americans by Kent Nerburn (editor)
A collection of speeches, quotes, and reflections from historical Native leaders, compiled with reverence and restraint. A glimpse into traditional thought without appropriation.
The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux by Joseph Epes Brown (with Black Elk)
A more spiritual, ceremonial text, but one rooted in consent and respectful transcription. Best for deeper seekers.
Our History Is the Future by Nick Estes (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe)
For those interested in Indigenous activism, land rights, and sovereignty—especially around Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline.
As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice by Dina Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes)
A powerful modern take on environmental justice from an Indigenous perspective.
Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future – Patty Krawec (Anishinaabe/Ukrainian)
An accessible and heart-opening exploration of settler colonialism, Christianity, and land theft—woven with personal story and Indigenous wisdom. Krawec invites readers to step into kinship and accountability, rather than guilt or defensiveness.
We Are the Middle of Forever — edited by Dahr Jamail & Stan Rushworth
A tender yet urgent record of how Indigenous communities are responding to ecological crisis—and how interconnection itself can become resistance.
Bonus Listening
Robin Wall Kimmerer on On Being with Krista Tippett
A soft and reverent conversation about the spirit of plants and the ethics of Earth care.