Next item: Update on The People's Crossing (which was recently renamed) and a land acknowledgement. documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocVie…
Or you can read this to catch up: boulderbeat.news/2021/05/28/bou…
Not much to say on the renaming, other than it's officially been done on the city website and with temporary signs installed.
Permanent signs to be installed in September at event for fifth anniversary of indigenous people’s day
Cost: $21,300 to replace all those
Permanent signs to be installed in September at event for fifth anniversary of indigenous people’s day
Cost: $21,300 to replace all those
The land acknowledgement is the bigger issue here. This is a statement that the city can/will use in a variety of ways to recognize that this land once belonged to American Indian Tribal Nations.
City is working with tribes on this. A draft was presented at April 2021 tribal consultation
It's not included in packet, based on feedback from tribes
It's not included in packet, based on feedback from tribes
It will include names and language that the tribes themselves use. And they're developing a pronunciation guide! (v excited for this)
Other things you can expect to see in the land acknowledgement:
1.) Stress on traditions, oral histories and languages that still connect Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples with the area.
1.) Stress on traditions, oral histories and languages that still connect Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples with the area.
2.) Refutation of past justifications for the colonization of Indigenous lands – such as "Manifest Destiny" and the "Doctrine of Discovery."
And acknowledgement of colonization and the Sand Creek massacre
And acknowledgement of colonization and the Sand Creek massacre
The city will develop a few versions; some longer, some shorter. That's for all the ways it could be used: Added into email signatures for city staff/council, read at the beginning of council and board/commission meetings, etc.
Like the way some public speakers start out by acknowledging that we're on stolen land. Council may similarly open every meeting with a land acknowledgement.
My notes don't do justice to the staff presentation. Highly recommend you check it out (link above).
OK, fine, I'll share the link again: documents.bouldercolorado.gov/WebLink/DocVie…
Forgot this important bit: The land acknowledgement will also share possible "meaningful actions" that could be taken to right some wrongs, beyond the acknowledgement itself.
A late summer/early fall tribal consultation is planned to keep working on the acknowledgement. But it could take a bit longer, staff say.
Tribal reps in the past have stressed the importance of time and relationship-building, rather than quick action.
Young asks about when this acknowledgement might be used/read at meetings.
OSMP spokesperson Phil Yates: The intent is to reflect on it when developing plans, etc.
OSMP spokesperson Phil Yates: The intent is to reflect on it when developing plans, etc.
Aimee Kane, equity program manager, expounding: It's to make sure this acknowledgement is top of mind when the city is making decisions (at the beginning of a project, master planning process, etc.)
Kane: "To make sure it's not some rote thing that's being stated. Being sure that we're really intentional. That can happen."
Weaver: "It's great to see this progress occurring," on the renaming process, and to see "how much thought" is going into the land acknowledgement so it doesn't become rote.
Gives gratitudes particularly to the tribes who have consulted on this.
@threadreaderapp please unroll. Thank you!
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