The Boston Chapter of the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children used Native Land Acknowledgment for the first time last night at our Annual Meeting. Land Acknowledgments are used throughout society as a way of recognition of Indigenous tribes that have stewarded the area in which people live and still live today. It was event recently used at the Macy's thanksgiving day Parade and by many towns and municipalities. It is a way of tribute and not erasure of a people. This is the statement we used: "The Boston Chapter of the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children respectfully acknowledge that we gather here tonight on territory of the Massachusett people, overlapping with the territories of the Nipmuc, Wampanoag, and Abanaki people on the land known as turtle Island. they have all stewarded this land for hundreds of generations in what is presently referred to as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex counties around the city of Boston. We acknowledge the history of genocide and forced removal from this territory, and honor and respect the diverse Indigenous people still here. We advocate that teachers of young children work to understand the history and culture of the Indigenous people of Turtle Inland(North American Continent). We will strive to adapt appropriate, anti-bias, and cultural significant curriculum that bring awareness of their presence in Massachusetts and nationwide." It is time for early childhood to recognize Indigenous people around them and their community.
------------------------------
Craig Simpson
Dorchester MA
------------------------------