Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) would like to acknowledge that our office is situated on the Indigenous lands of Turtle Island, the ancestral name for what now is called North America.
Moreover, we would like to specifically acknowledge the Alabama-Coushatta, Caddo, Carrizo/Comecrudo, Coahuiltecan, Comanche, Kickapoo, Lipan Apache, Tonkawa, and Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, and all the American Indian and Indigenous Peoples and communities who have been or have become a part of these lands and territories in Texas.
AYRW further recognizes that the Lipan Apache, Tonkawa, Caddo, and Coahuiltecan were forcibly removed from this land in order for colonizers to settle on what is now known as the city of Austin. Despite this oppressive legacy of colonialism, we stand in solidarity with those that have historically suffered from racial injustices and those that continue to combat systemic racism in society. We seek to understand and celebrate both ancestral and contemporary contributions of Native peoples’ past, present, and future.
AYRW Board and Staff members understand that this land acknowledgement is
only one part of its mission to continuously educate, advocate for, and support
indigenous communities everywhere. With this in mind, AYRW is committed to the
following:
- Actively practicing anti-racist pedagogy specifically through the formation of an AYRW Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee that focuses on learning, action, and JEDI-informed systems change at all levels of our organization.
- Incorporating educational components in our program curricula centered on the rich cultural customs, practices, and beliefs of native populations that have inhabited Hornsby Bend and Central Texas.
- Participating in collaborative efforts with the Indigenous Cultues Institute and with UT’s Native American and Indigenous Studies Program that aim to inform and educate students, staff, board, and the broader AYRW community on indigenous cultures.
- Attend the Austin Powwow annually along with students to learn and celebrate the traditions, heritage, and culture of American Indians, while supporting health and education initiatives for Native youth and families.
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