A Time to Reflect

November is National Native American Heritage Month, which is the perfect time to reflect on the impact that colonization has had on the original stewards of this land. The western Massachusetts area is the ancestral home of the Abenaki, Woronoco, Pocomtuc, Nonotuck, Nipmuc, and Mohican tribes. AMC was founded on the principle of land conservation, and we strive to honor Indigenous people and find ways to support and collaborate with them in acknowledgement of their historical and continued stewardship of the land. We are grateful to Jay Levy, Chibcha descendant and New England Trail Tribal Consultant, who graciously created a Land Acknowledgement for AMC Noble View Outdoor Center on the occasion of the Grand Opening of the All Persons Trail. His continual counsel and collaboration on the NET with Miriam Maistelman from AMC is a model for future collaborations with Native People. This is his land acknowledgement: Noble View Outdoor Center lies on the traditional lands of the Woronoco. Woronoco refers to the people of and "the place of abundant salmon" and "where the river winds around the land". Russell, Southwick and Westfield were continuously occupied for thousands of years by Indigenous people. I would like to pay respect to those original people both past and present. We thank them for stewarding the land and the waterways throughout generations. Many are no longer here due to colonization, forced relocation, disease, and warfare. We also recognize the continued presence of Indigenous people on this territory who care for these lands. We acknowledge the Nipmuc, Mohican, and Abenaki people who have survived attempted genocide and who still hold ties to the land spiritually and culturally. We shall be good stewards of the land we all call Massachusetts, 'Great hill country'. AMC is in the process of committing to building relationships with the Native community. To learn more and to support the local Indigenous communities visit the Ohketeau Cultural Center and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. You are invited to view the presentation More Than a Land Acknowlegement by Heather Brugel to learn more about the development of a land acknowledgement. You can also go to the Chapter's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee page to learn more, or view an interactive map of events, exhibits, and trails honoring Native American Heritage Month in the area, as well as other resources.