Lacey reviews land acknowledgement, policy, adds input from Nisqually Indian Tribe

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The Lacey Commission on Equity is drafting its land acknowledgment and Policy after receiving input from the Nisqually Indian Tribe.

"The intent of this policy is that it would be integrated into the city of Lacey's City Council policies and procedures," said Shannon Kelley-Fong, assistant city manager, during a meeting on Monday, November 28.

A major point of feedback from the Nisqually representatives, says Kelley-Fong, was to make sure that there would be an emphasis on the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854.

As drafted, the first of the six paragraphs of the proposed Land Acknowledgement reads as follows:

"We acknowledge the ancestral land we are on today as the traditional territory of the Tribal People of the Treaty of Medicine Creek, signed in 1854, including the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Squaxin Island Tribe."

The commission is also contemplating using a shorter version of the land acknowledgment that may be used at public meetings and on historical land markers "where time and space might be constricted."

The proposed abbreviated version reads as follows:

"We [or insert the object, e.g., "This Marker is"] are on the ancestral land of the Tribal People of the Treaty of Medicine Creek, including the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Squaxin Island Tribe. We acknowledge and remember those Tribal People not recognized today that were absorbed or relocated into other tribes for survival. We recognize and respect the Tribal People of the Treaty of Medicine Creek as the traditional stewards of this land since time immemorial and their role today in taking care of these lands today and in perpetuity. We recommend that community members read the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854."

Land acknowledgments are ceremonial in nature and do not carry any legal authority. Still, it is "a formal statement that recognizes, pays tribute to, expresses gratitude and respect for, affirms the ongoing relationship between indigenous people and the land, and helps raise awareness of the Indigenous histories, perspectives, and experiences —past, present, and future," read Kelley-Fong, as drafted in the proposed policy.

When finalized, the Land Acknowledgement might be used to open Lacey meetings, events, and programs. It might also be part of city plans, reports and other adopted documents and on Lacey's signages, markers, maps and other materials.

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  • JulesJames

    Ninety-five words of ceremony is 100% irrelevant when Lacy holds a public meeting about barking dogs -- or most every other action of any city hall. Sorry -- the same shallow history lesson drumbeated as a government mandate for the subsistence existence of the past isn't my cup of tea. I far more respect the tribes for what they are accomplishing today for our waters, fish and even casino entertainment. Not the past when the Spanish, Russian, French, English and finally the US replaced the Haida.

    Thursday, December 1, 2022 Report this

  • psterry

    I heard Candice Wilson a Lummi and Tribal Policy Director for the WA State Department of Health, say that land acknowledgments must be informed, genuine and meaningful. I don't believe that rote readings of land acknowledgments are useful or meaningful in the context of a city council meeting. It is merely virtue signaling. Instead, opportunities should be made for collaboration between cities and local tribes for the important land stewardship issues that face us today.

    Thursday, December 1, 2022 Report this

  • Southsoundguy

    Land acknowledgments are pathetic and shallow. What a joke.

    Thursday, December 1, 2022 Report this

  • LMFinnan

    Both a long version for the record and a short version for meetings are, I think, necessary. They remind people attending or watching or reading about a meeting of the past history of Lacey and of the people and communities who were here before it was Lacey. They remind us of actions taken or not taken. History is always a good thing for us to be reminded of and hopefully will inform processes and decisions being made today, even what appear to be small ones; there are no disconnected ones. Good for Lacey doing this! Thank you to the tribes for their assistance and persistence.

    Thursday, December 1, 2022 Report this

  • Honestyandrealityguy

    Who did the natives murder and how did they establish their property lines before our country was formed? How many natives were prosecuted for murdering a man and forcing the woman into *** slavery? Will never be able to pay them enough.

    Thursday, December 1, 2022 Report this