Pattie's Blog

View from Mt Holyoke

November 2022

Acknowledging the Original Stewards of the Land

We researched and asked for guidance in making land acknowledgements from local indigenous communities and to Native Nations forcibly removed from the areas that are known now as Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts camp properties and Leadership Centers. The following will be incorporated in signage and spoken at the beginning of gatherings and events as a way of  acknowledging the original stewards of the land, showing respect, resisting the erasure of  history, and importantly, a starting point for further action.  Territory acknowledgements are one small part of disrupting and dismantling colonial structures. Acknowledgement is a first step in a long education. At the end of this blog post is a recommended reading list for all ages.

Nipmuc Nation: Camp Laurel Wood, Spencer, MA; Camp Green Eyrie, Harvard, MA; Worcester Leadership Center, Worcester, MA
It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, working, and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Nipmuc people, who are the indigenous peoples of this land.
Made with the guidance of Chief of Nipmuc Nation,
Chief Cheryll Toney Holley
https://www.nipmucnation.org/

Mohican Nation –Stockbridge-Munsee Community: Camp Bonnie Brae, East Otis, MA
It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, working, and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Mohican people, who are the indigenous peoples of this land. Despite tremendous hardship in being forced from here, today their community resides in Wisconsin, and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors past and present.
Made with guidance from Bonney Hartley, Historic Preservation Manager and member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community https://www.mohican.com/

Nipmuc Nation and Pocumtuc Nation: Camp Lewis Perkins, South Hadley, MA and Holyoke Leadership Center, Holyoke, MA
It is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are learning, working, and gathering on the ancestral homelands of the Nipmuc and the Pocumtuc people, who are the indigenous peoples of this land.
Made with the guidance of Chief of Nipmuc Nation,
Chief Cheryll Toney Holley
https://www.nipmucnation.org/

Recommended Book List for continuing education:

Picture Books
We Are Water Protectors by Claire Lindstrom
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorrell and Frane Lessac
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

Middle Grade Fiction
Ancestor Approved by Cynthia Leitich Smith
The Sea In Winter by Christine Day
Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac

Middle Grade Nonfiction
An Indigenous People’s History of the United States: Young Readers Edition by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin

Young Adult Fiction
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
Fire Keeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Young Adult Nonfiction
Apple by Eric Gansworth
Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition by Anton Treuer

Adult Nonfiction
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer
The Mourning Road to Thanksgiving by Larry Spotted Crow Mann.

You can watch an interview with Larry Spotted Crow Mann and Massachusetts State Senator Jo Comerford here.

Sincerely,
Pattie Hallberg,
CEO Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts

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