A land acknowledgement is a formal, living statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as historic stewards of this land and the enduring sacred relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. A land acknowledgement is a simple, yet powerful step toward ongoing awareness and correcting the stories and practices that diminish Indigenous People’s history and culture. Therefore, we name the traditional Native inhabitants of this place as we gather and as we seek to be faithful caretakers of the beautiful land where we mutually live.
We acknowledge that St. Mark Lutheran Church is on the traditional land of the Nisqually Indian Tribe.
(“Nisqually” in the Luhshootseed language is “Squalli-absch” which means: People of the River, People of the Grass)