USG’s Land Acknowledgement Statement
USG’s Land Acknowledgement Statement
We openly recognize the Lenni-Lenape tribe as the original inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania, on their traditional territory called “Lenapehoking.” During the Colonial era and early Federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; the Powhatan Lenape Nation; the Nanticoke of Millsboro, Delaware; and the Lenape of Cheswold, Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenape people as the indigenous stewards of their homelands and we do hereby commit to actively support our Lenape siblings in whatever way we are able.
In March of 2021, Ending Racism Committee member Tonika Berkley worked to bring about this Land Acknowledgement Statement. Tonika described the purpose of such a statement is to keep the memory and history of native peoples alive. She attended a workshop on crafting land acknowledgment statements. She then worked with USG member Sarah Frazier, who connected her with Chief Sally DePaul, a member of the Lenape Tribe of PA. Chief DePaul provided three statement options and Tonika and Sarah selected one they thought would be the best fit for USG. Shortly after that, USG began to use it on a monthly basis in services. Beginning in August of 2023, the church decided to accompany the statement with providing a specific action that members could take to truly “support our Lenape siblings.”