Land Acknowledgement

We recognize that the land upon which we work today, in Hampden, Massachusetts, is the ancestral land of the Nipmuc people, who lived here, cared for this land, and stewarded its resources for countless generations. We honor the Nipmuc people as the original stewards of this territory and acknowledge their enduring connection to this land, despite the history of displacement and colonization.  

I humbly acknowledge that I live, work, and gather on land that has been cared for, honored, and stewarded by Indigenous peoples for countless generations. As someone with familial roots in Central & South America, who's ancestors lived in what is now known as Texas and California, I hold deep respect for the Native peoples of these lands—those who have endured colonization and those whose traditions continue to thrive.

I also recognize my Spanish and European ancestry, which ties me to the history of colonization that reshaped these lands and disrupted the lives and legacies of Indigenous communities. This duality—a lineage of both belonging and harm—compels me to reflect deeply on my role in honoring the resilience, wisdom, and sovereignty of Native & Indigenous peoples today.

In this acknowledgment, I strive to walk with humility, to learn from the Indigenous stewards of this land, and to commit to actions that support reconciliation, respect, and the preservation of Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions.

May this acknowledgment serve as a reminder that the land holds stories far older than any of us and that we have a shared responsibility to honor and protect it in ways that uplift its original caretakers.