LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Land acknowledgement is a traditional custom that dates back centuries in many Native nations and communities. Today, land acknowledgements are used by Native Peoples and non-Natives to recognize Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live.

OXY ARTS sits on the land of the Gabrieleno/Tongva people. We acknowledge the Gabrieleno/Tongva as the original caretakers of Tovaangar, spanning LA County, parts of Northern Orange County and the Southern Channel Islands. The Gabrieleno/Tongva people continue to remain in relationship with these lands through ceremony, culture, and stewardship.

We pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), 'Ahiihirom (Elders), and 'Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

To go beyond acknowledgement, visit tongva.land/donate and consider making a financial kuuy nahwá'a guest exchange, to the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy—the Tongva-led land conservancy in Tovaangar/LA where land has rightfully returned to their hands for the first time since colonization.

Pronunciation of Tongva Words:
Tovaangar
Taraaxatom (Indigenous Peoples)
Honuukvetam (Ancestors)
'Ahiihirom (Elders)
'Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations)

Our Land Acknowledgement was written with the assistance of Mercedes Dorame and Joel Garcia, alongside the resources of the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy, and UCLA's American Indian Studies Center. We thank them for their support and time.

Community Organizations:

Resources

Native Land Digital

Look up whose land you're on using Native Land's Digital Interactive Map.

native-land.ca

History of Native California

Learn more about California Indian history through this video made by Humboldt State University's Department of Native Studies.

Watch video

Our Sacred Waters: Theorizing Kuuyamas a Decolonial Possibility

This essay evaluates the conditions of the desecrated Santa Ana River in southern California, historicizes its destruction, assesses what is being done to clean it up, and provides tradition as theory to offer an approach to a solution that re-centers a Native view of land.

Read the essay

Calls to Action

Make a financial Kuuy Nahwá’a, guest exchange

Kuuy nahwá'a is a Tongva peoples concept that means guest exchange. It is a voluntary recurring contribution individuals and institutions can make to support Tongva-led Land Back efforts, acknowledging both relationships and reciprocity to lands and Native Peoples of Tovaangar, this place many of us call home. If you reside on/profit on Tongva land, consider making a guest exchange.

Make a Kuuy nahwá'a

Support the efforts at Huhuunga

Huhuunga (place of the bears) is currently unsafe for gathering and ceremony, as their unsecured, unfenced cliffside prevents many families to come. There is a deep, collective desire to have a naming ceremony for Tongva youth, but safe pathways for elders and fences for children are necessary. Initial renovations and engineering surveys have begun in order to create spaced for cultural classes, cooking and community; you can help out by making a guest exchange or reaching out to info@tongva.land if you have housing to offer.

Help the efforts at Huhuunga here

Irrigation Support at Huhuunga

The main water line at Huhuunga recently burst after almost a century without an update. The main system only covers less than a third of the land. If you are able to donate ollas, clay pots, or other materials, email info@tongva.land.

Recently, the main water line at Huhuunga burst after almost a century without an update. Although we now have clean water on the land, our main water system only covers less than a third of the land. We are hoping to install ollas to make this dilemma easier and provide long-term watering to our native plants already present. If you’re able to donate ollas, clay pots, or other materials, email info@tongva.land.

Email tongva.land