College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences

MRM's Land Acknowledgement —

We acknowledge that the MRM program in Corvallis Oregon stands on the traditional homelands of the Mary's River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya, whose ancestors have resided here since Time Immemorial. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, the Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, descendants of these people are alive and strong as part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon  and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians. Do you know about the indigenous people of the land you are on right now? If not, check out Native Land Digital. 

— is an important reminder to remember our goals, history, values, and actions, where to get some more information.

Goals

Land acknowledgements — statements that honor the present and past history and peoples of the land we reside on – can reflect our values, but they are just the beginning. The goal of our land acknowledgement is to remind and educate ourselves, and others, about the history of Indigenous peoples in Oregon, and that they are present and thriving parts of our society.

History, Values and Actions

Indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from this land and the trauma of that cultural genocide is still felt today. MRM recognizes the importance of learning more about Indigenous people and supporting the past and present contributions of indigenous people in Corvallis, at Oregon State, and other places in Oregon and the Earth. Support for Indigenous peoples goes beyond land acknowledgement statements. We are committed to educating ourselves about the words we say and are committed to challenging ourselves to think in new ways. Below we present some statements that guide our collective learning:

• We acknowledge that the history of Land Grant universities and natural resource management has always been exceptionally exclusionary and furthered the displacement/genocide of Indigenous peoples.
   
• We make it a habit of learning about the Indigenous people, land, languages, and treaties connected with the land we’re on.
   
• We acknowledge that Indigenous groups are sovereign nations, and we learn about the treaties and government programs that facilitated genocide & the pressures from the US to adopt typically unfair treaties.
   
• We learn about spiritually important sites & the cultural ties to the land and sea (food traditionally grown/harvested, contributions to regional health and management)
   
• We take the time to learn about and work against the effects of colonization. Listed below are just some of the actions individuals in this program can choose to take:
  • getting involved with OSU’s Native American Longhouse Eena Haws
  • attending a powwow or salmon bake
  • donating time and money to Indigenous-led organizations
  • amplifying the voices of Indigenous people leading grassroots change movements
  • returning land
  • speak with Indigenous students and faculty, and listen to learn
  • participate in a virtual lecture or discussion

   These actions can help show we authentically care about our shared histories, our present actions, and our commitment to build a better future. 

For More Information

• A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
• Native Governance Center Resources
• Beyond Land Acknowledgment: A Guide
• Native Governance Center Land Acknowledgment Statement
• OSU Institutional Diversity Land Acknowledgment
• ASOSU Indigenous Land Recognition Statement
• Words are monuments: Patterns in US national park place names perpetuate settler colonial mythologies including white supremacy

Go to the Marine Resource Management Program page