Land Acknowledgement

The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) works to protect land that lies within the traditional territories of the snpasqwawsaxw (p'squosa or Wenatchi), scafamxaxw (Chelan), snt1yatkwaxw (Entiat), spaXmubxwaxw (Methow), uknaqin (Okanogan) and skwaxcanaxw (Moses-Columbia) people. This region has long been an area for fishing and hunting, gathering of plants, trading, and ceremony for these tribes. We recognize that Native American people have been stewards of this land since time immemorial and that their people, culture, and traditions live on today. 

We acknowledge that the US Government violated agreements, court findings, and promises by taking land and resources in tribal homelands and the rights to reside upon, to hunt, to fish and to gather on these lands. CDL T recognizes that these injustices still exist and that as we work to protect these lands in perpetuity, we must remember the history of the land and the people who first lived here and still live here. We, CDL T and all non-native peoples, benefitted from such takings, moving onto the land, gaining employment, and raising families on the wealth of what was once tribal territory. CDLT recognizes the advantages of the traditional ecological knowledge of tribal people as applied to holistic land management. We embrace the traditional practices employed and pledge to honor these tribes. We commit to strengthening partnerships that respect tribal history, traditional wisdom of the land, Native American contributions, tribal culture, and strive to build lasting relationships and trust.

Land Acknowledgment Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is a Land Acknowledgement? Is it legally binding? A Land acknowledgment is a statement that recognizes the Indigenous past, present, and future of a particular location and to help us understand our own place within that relationship. The statement typically acknowledges the history of colonialism violence, and treaties that displaced Indigenous communities from their traditional homelands. It’s becoming more and more common to see land acknowledgments delivered at organizational events, conferences, community gatherings, places of worship, concerts and festivals, etc. This Land Acknowledgement is not a legally binding agreement.
• Why is CDLT adopting a Land Acknowledgement? As a land manager, CDLT has a unique responsibility to acknowledge the longstanding history. A land acknowledgement is an opportunity to educate, inform, and spark action. It is only a first-step toward expressing CDLT’s understanding and interest in a deeper engagement with tribal partners. 
• What is the significance of releasing a Land Acknowledgement now? The Land Trust has made many steps forward in expressing a desire and commitment to working with indigenous people through our Strategic Plan, relationship building and outreach to tribal friends and representatives in the last few years. Because the land trust is learning and gaining a deeper understanding of the history of our properties and how they fit within the landscape of the original traditional territories for indigenous people, a land acknowledgement is a natural way to honor and show respect for the ancestral homeland of the Indigenous people who have lived and continue to live here.
• How will the Land Acknowledgment be used? It will be used to express CDLT’s understanding and support of Indigenous people who lived here and continue to live here now – essentially those situations when we are addressing the public such as the annual dinner, work parties, outdoor events, the website.
• How does the Land Trust work with tribal partners? The land trust has worked with both CTCR and the Yakama tribes on a projects that reflect shared goals. CDLT board and staff are working to develop relationships with tribal groups and individuals to learn about the history and culture of our area, how to be an ally, and how indigenous conservation practices can inform our goals for the future. Staff have also invited tribal representatives to present and educate at land trust events.