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Land Acknowledgment

The properties that Greenbelt conserves are on the ancestral lands of the Pennacook and the Pawtucket, Abenaki-speaking people.

For thousands of years, these inhabitants and their families fished, hunted, farmed, conducted ceremonies, and developed deep stewardship connections to these unceded lands and waterways. 

Join us in honoring the elders who lived here before, the Indigenous descendants today, and the generations to come.

What is a Land Acknowledgment?

A Land Acknowledgment recognizes the Indigenous Peoples who were the traditional stewards of their homelands here before the arrival of Europeans. It respects the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.

Why do we offer a Land Acknowledgment?

Offering this acknowledgment is an expression of humility and a recognition of the Indigenous inhabitants, past, present, and future, on what are now Greenbelt properties.

It is important to understand the history that predates colonial settlement, the history of the conflicts and tragedies that have taken place since, and to seek to understand each person's place within that history so that we can all plan a brighter future.

Does Greenbelt do anything more than acknowledge the land and its traditional stewards?

Yes. Greenbelt updated its property page descriptions in 2021 with better representation of Indigenous Peoples in the history and use sections of the texts. Updates to our trailhead kiosks are ongoing and will also reflect that history. Staff have attended numerous workshops and educational sessions to bring our practices and policies up to date. We also work with local Indigenous individuals and groups in the region to plan educational events and outings. We hope these relationships will continue to grow as we plan together to conserve and protect nature in Essex County.

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness for their kind assistance.

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