Land Acknowledgement for Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson
Developed in Cooperation with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community
In the spirit of truth and equity, it is with gratitude and humility that we acknowledge that we are gathered on the sacred homelands of the Munsee and Muhheaconneok people, who are the original stewards of this land. Today, due to forced removal, the community resides in Northeast Wisconsin and is known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We honor and pay respect to their ancestors past and present, as well as to future generations and we recognize their continuing presence in their homelands. We understand that our acknowledgement requires those of us who are settlers to recognize our own place in and responsibilities towards addressing inequity, and that this ongoing and challenging work requires that we commit to real engagement with the Munsee and Mohican communities to build an inclusive and equitable space for all.
Land Acknowledgement for Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson
From Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Please join me in thanking Christian Ayne Crouch, Associate Professor of Historical Studies and Director of Bard's American Studies Program as well as incoming Dean of Graduate Studies, for her path breaking work in concert with Heather Breugl, Cultural Affairs Director of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, to develop language for a land acknowledgement for use here at Bard Annandale. This culminates a process begun by Professor Crouch and Ariana González Stokas, former Dean of Inclusive Excellence, with Bonney Hartley, Historic Preservation Manager for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.
As Professor Crouch has reminded us in recent conversations about territorial acknowledgments, Bard is committed to seeking meaningful, ongoing dialogue with the Stockbridge Munsee Community and mutual engagement as modeled in the formulation of this statement.
To learn more about the past and present story of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians see: mohican.com/?url=our-history.
Land acknowledgements are a first step in equity work with Native communities and require forethought and care as to how they are stated and integrated into text and events here at Bard. The Center for Faculty and Curricular Development (CFCD) will host an event early in the spring semester to discuss the history, application of, and best practices in use of land/territorial acknowledgements by faculty and can provide guidance to faculty leading up to this event as well. Both CFCD and the Council for Inclusive Excellence (CIE) are developing resources for community use for individuals interested in further, continuing engagement. Dean of Inclusive Excellence Kahan Sablo, Director of Inclusive Pedagogy and Curriculum Michael Sadowski, and Myra Young Armstead, Lyford Paterson Edwards and Helen Gray Edwards Professor of Historical Studies and Vice President for Academic Inclusive, should also be recognized for their time and expertise in support of this important work.
With gratitude and respect,
Deirdre d'Albertis Dean of the College
December 7, 2020
Reporting
WE ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF THE BARD COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE COLLEGE AWARE OF ANY INSTANCES OF DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT.
Reports can be made to the College using the Bard College Incident Reporting Form or the Title IX Reporting Form, or by calling the dean of inclusive excellence at 845-758-7367. Any emergency should be reported to Campus Safety and Security at 845-758-7777.