LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that our community’s land was once unowned; free land tended and stewarded by many generations of tribal people, specifically the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, ᏗᎧᎸᎦ ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ (di-ka-lv-ga A-ni-yv-wi-ya) -- the Principle People of the East.
We commit to learning more about the history and culture of these people as well as the original names for the places we dwell and gather. We recognize that the Cherokee people were forcibly and violently removed from these lands, by people of European descent, and were culturally and legally suppressed for many generations.
We imagine how the past and present trauma and the brutality inflicted on these people impacts their lives today. Those of us who live here now, on what is stolen land, have the intention of using our endeavors to make reparations to and uplift the voices of the living Cherokee people.
Coinciding with the forced removal of indigenous people was the enslavement and child trafficking of people from Africa and other countries around the world. Up until emancipation in 1865, throughout North Carolina and the South, human slaves were overworked and mistreated for the benefit of white colonizers.
We acknowledge that we don’t know much of the intricacies of the cultures from whence these people came due to cultural genocide practices. Since emancipation, continuing to this day, a systemic racism has suppressed African Americans and other peoples of culture. While many black, indigenous, and people of culture are thriving and well, despite the societal challenges, we acknowledge the institutionalized oppression our broken system continues to inflict upon them.
We invite you to contemplate and learn about the history of this land and its people. We believe that the land that surrounds us shapes us into who we are. May delving into the stories of this place lead us to acting for equality of all people.
We commit to learning more about the history and culture of these people as well as the original names for the places we dwell and gather. We recognize that the Cherokee people were forcibly and violently removed from these lands, by people of European descent, and were culturally and legally suppressed for many generations.
We imagine how the past and present trauma and the brutality inflicted on these people impacts their lives today. Those of us who live here now, on what is stolen land, have the intention of using our endeavors to make reparations to and uplift the voices of the living Cherokee people.
Coinciding with the forced removal of indigenous people was the enslavement and child trafficking of people from Africa and other countries around the world. Up until emancipation in 1865, throughout North Carolina and the South, human slaves were overworked and mistreated for the benefit of white colonizers.
We acknowledge that we don’t know much of the intricacies of the cultures from whence these people came due to cultural genocide practices. Since emancipation, continuing to this day, a systemic racism has suppressed African Americans and other peoples of culture. While many black, indigenous, and people of culture are thriving and well, despite the societal challenges, we acknowledge the institutionalized oppression our broken system continues to inflict upon them.
We invite you to contemplate and learn about the history of this land and its people. We believe that the land that surrounds us shapes us into who we are. May delving into the stories of this place lead us to acting for equality of all people.
GIVING THANKS FOR INDIGENOUS WISDOM
The team at Soul Gardens has been blessed to learn from indigenous cultures & teachers around the world about how to live in balance with all of Creation. We feel deeply grateful for all of the teachers, authors and friends who are still connected to their intact wisdom traditions and have generously shared their teachings with us. Our intention is to carry this wisdom in a good way, share it with others who are yearning to align themselves in this way, and give back to indigenous communities as an act of reparations and gratitude. We are committed to upholding this way of life because we see the Earth is in deep need of our awakening to live in balance.
So often humans are stuck in a cycle of taking from the Earth. The more we’ve disconnected ourselves from the Earth, the less we are able to care for her. We are learning, remembering that we are interconnected with all of life, that all thriving and all suffering is mutual. We must learn to live in balance, to take only what we need and give what we can. We all have ancestors who were indigenous to land somewhere and we know this gentle and balanced way deep in our bones.
So often humans are stuck in a cycle of taking from the Earth. The more we’ve disconnected ourselves from the Earth, the less we are able to care for her. We are learning, remembering that we are interconnected with all of life, that all thriving and all suffering is mutual. We must learn to live in balance, to take only what we need and give what we can. We all have ancestors who were indigenous to land somewhere and we know this gentle and balanced way deep in our bones.
Indigenous Wisdom teaches us:
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ANCESTRY & APPROPRIATION
We are a community of white folks. Our ancestors are predominately from Europe. The indigenous practices and life-ways of our ancestors have largely been lost and forgotten due to thousands of years of colonization.
Growing up without a thriving earth-based culture, it is tempting for us to adopt native traditions as our own. However, we see that far too often practices of native cultures are used by dominant groups without their consent or a deep understanding of their culture. We believe this perpetuates oppression even when it is unconsciously done by well meaning folks. We aim towards ways of cultural exchange that are consensual and mutually beneficial.
Growing up without a thriving earth-based culture, it is tempting for us to adopt native traditions as our own. However, we see that far too often practices of native cultures are used by dominant groups without their consent or a deep understanding of their culture. We believe this perpetuates oppression even when it is unconsciously done by well meaning folks. We aim towards ways of cultural exchange that are consensual and mutually beneficial.
We strive to:
- RECLAIM our indigenous life-ways through studying our own lineages and the myths, ceremonies, and histories of our people.
- BUILD life-serving relationships with black, indigenous and people of culture
- CO-CREATE a world where oppression no longer exists
- PRACTICE consent for using songs, ceremonies and teachings from other people and cultures
- RECOGNIZE and HONOR the people and places that our practices come from
May our lives be a blessing, in service to all life on Earth.