University of Rochester land acknowledgement:
The University of Rochester sits on the homelands of the Onöndowa’g:a’ (Seneca)
Nation, the “Great Hill People” and “Keepers of the Western Door” of the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy. These lands were the traditional territory of the Seneca prior to their removal through invasion and occupation, as well as deceptive and broken agreements. The lands continue to serve as home to the native peoples and cultures who have lived here for centuries. Stories of creation, ancestors, spiritual life, and the struggle for survival and identity live today in this land. We honor the rich culture, heritage, and contributions of native peoples, and their stewardship of the land that we now occupy.
Rochester Institute of Technology land acknowledgement:
We gather on the traditional territory of the Onöndowa'ga:' or “the people of the Great Hill.” In English, they are known as Seneca people, “the keeper of the western door.” They are one of the six nations that make up the sovereign Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
We honor the land on which RIT was built and recognize the unique relationship that the Indigenous stewards have with this land. That relationship is the core of their traditions, cultures, and histories. We recognize the history of genocide, colonization, and assimilation of Indigenous people that took place on this land. Mindful of these histories, we work towards understanding, acknowledging, and ultimately reconciliation.
SHARP statement:
SHARP strives to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to, members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, color, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability. As a global organization, SHARP acknowledges the ongoing effects of colonization on Indigenous peoples worldwide. We are committed to supporting the deconstruction of ideologies that privilege Western thought and approaches to book history above all others.
