Land Acknowledgement

The practice of including a land acknowledgement at the beginning of gatherings is growing increasingly common. This practice is intended to draw our attention to the tribes and people who have stewarded the land on which we gather, and to encourage further learning about their history and present circumstances. Below are some resources for learning more about land acknowledgements, and taking steps to include a land acknowledgement as part of your congregation's worship services.

• Search your address to find out which Indigenous tribes have called this land home.

• Find examples of land acknowledgements from Vance Blackfox, Director for the ELCA's American Indian Alaska Native Tribal Nations Desk, and read his article in November's Living Lutheran magazine.

• Connect with the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, which "promotes the socio-economic development of the Native American community and others who experience the same type of economic difficulties in the Greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area."

• Read this local land acknowledgement shared at the installation (formally, "invitation to ecumenical service") of Pastor Kimberly Greway at St. John's Lutheran, North Versailles.

For more resources from the synod's Authentic Diversity and Justice Working group, visit swpasynod.org/ministries/diversity