Research Guides: Indigenous Peoples of Land Now Known as Maryland: Land Acknowledgement

Statewide Land Acknowledgement Statement

We acknowledge the lands and waters now known as Maryland are the home of its first peoples: the Accohannock Indian Tribe, Assateague People’s Tribe, Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians, Choptico Band of Indians, Lenape Tribe, Nanticoke Tribe, Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Piscataway Conoy Tribe, Piscataway Indian Nation, Pocomoke Indian Nation, Susquehannock Indians, Youghiogheny River Band of Shawnee, and tribes in the Chesapeake watershed who have seemingly vanished since the coming of colonialism. We acknowledge that this land is now home to other tribal peoples living here in diaspora. We acknowledge the forced removal of many from the lands and waterways that nurtured them as kin. We acknowledge the degradation that continues to be wrought on the land and waters in pursuit of resources. We acknowledge the right of the land and waterways to heal so that they can continue to provide food and medicine for all. We acknowledge that it is our collective obligation to pursue policies and practices that respect the land and waters so that our reciprocal relationship with them can be fully restored.

This statement is based on one drafted by an elder of the Choptico Band of Indians, Piscataway-Conoy Tribe for the MSAC Land Acknowledgement Project.

Resources

MSAC Land Acknowledgement Project Overview and Resource Guide
This guide features best practices, tribal histories and maps, and land acknowledgement statements. It also includes a “Key Concepts” section containing culturally-specific information to help constituents more easily create land acknowledgements. Tribal consultants have reviewed the document for cultural accuracy and approved it.
Tribal Land Acknowledgement Statements
Each of the following land acknowledgment statements derive from formal, compensated consultations with tribal leaders and elders from tribes whose lands are claimed by Maryland and most of whom have or had a relationship with the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. View the "Resource Guide" linked in red text at the top of this page for tribal histories, maps, and key concepts.

Includes statements by the Accohannock Indian Tribe; Assateague People's Tribe; Choptico Band of Indians; Historically Erased Tribes; Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians; Piscataway Indian Nation; Pocomoke Indian Nation; Susquehannock Indians and Youghiogheny River Band of Shawnee.

This is not a comprehensive list.