Women Who Submit acknowledges the Tongva, Gabrielino, Kish, and Chumash people, past, present, and future for their stewardship of the Los Angeles County region of California, where Women Who Submit was founded, and whose sacred lands were stolen for the benefits of white supremacy on these unceded lands.
We recognize land acknowledgements are meaningless if they do not include current struggles for land and autonomy by native peoples and are void of action. Colonization continues to impact all of our communities, countries, and geopolitical systems. As of the fall of 2024, we recognize the particular struggles in Palestine, Sudan, and the Congo. Women Who Submit was founded on the principle of advocating for the most vulnerable to secure basic human rights for all and will continue to do so.
In 2025 and beyond, Women Who Submit commits to making contributions to the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy, which works to receive land back, create community and housing for Native people, practice traditional ceremonies, establish a Native archive, and rematriate the land. If you’d like to join us in this effort, we encourage you to engage with The Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy https://www.tongva.land/
As an organization focused on writing, we also want to point members to titles by Tongva writers:
This is the Land Acknowledgement currently being used by WWS. However, we believe that this and other land acknowledgements are living documents and should be revisited and considered on a regular basis in order to prevent them from lacking urgency or becoming performative.
The following resources can help guide conversations around this process.
“Rethinking Land Acknowledgements” by Michael C. Lambert, Elisa J. Sobo, and Valerie L. Lambert
Summary: An in depth article by three Native anthropologists on the purposes and pitfalls of land acknowledgements.
“A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement,” Native Governance Center
Summary: Notes from a panel on Land Acknowledgments curated by Native Governance Center on Indigenous People’s Day, October 14, 2019. Includes practical tips for creating a land acknowledgment with things to be mindful of and steps for action.
Summary: A brief article on what an LA is, why it’s important, and tips on how to create one.
Summary: A focus on women and the earth and how continued violence against Native women is connected to colonization.
Summary: An in depth article about how two tribes are acquiring lands from the USDA Forest Service and the connection between land acknowledgement and current land back efforts.
“Gabrielino/Tongva Sovereignty,” gabrielinotongva.org
Summary: Information about what it means for a Native nation to have sovereignty and a call to action to help the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe receive federal recognition.
These steps from https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/ can serve as a guide.
TIPS FOR CREATING AN INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT
Key components:
Start with self-reflection. Before starting work on your land acknowledgment statement, reflect on the process:
- Why am I doing this land acknowledgment? (If you’re hoping to inspire others to take action to support Indigenous communities, you’re on the right track. If you’re delivering a land acknowledgment out of guilt or because everyone else is doing it, more self-reflection is in order.)
- What is my end goal? (What do you hope listeners will do after hearing the acknowledgment?)
- When will I have the largest impact? (Think about your timing and audience, specifically.)
Do your homework. Put in the time necessary to research the following topics:
- The Indigenous people to whom the land belongs.
- The history of the land and any related treaties.
- Names of living Indigenous people from these communities. If you’re presenting on behalf of your work in a certain field, highlight Indigenous people who currently work in that field.
Indigenous place names and language. - Correct pronunciation for the names of the Tribes, places, and individuals that you’re including.
Use appropriate language. Don’t sugarcoat the past. Use terms like genocide, ethnic cleansing, stolen land, and forced removal to reflect actions taken by colonizers.
Use past, present, and future tenses. Indigenous people are still here, and they’re thriving. Don’t treat them as a relic of the past. Land acknowledgments shouldn’t be grim. They should function as living celebrations of Indigenous communities. Ask yourself, “How am I leaving Indigenous people in a stronger, more empowered place because of this land acknowledgment?” Focus on the positivity of who Indigenous people are today.