What is a land acknowledgment?
A land acknowledgment is a traditional custom many Native nations and communities have used to express gratitude for the land on which they reside. By establishing a land acknowledgment, a group or organization aims to recognize and offer respect to Indigenous peoples, who were the original stewards of the land, long before European colonization.
A land acknowledgment can increase awareness of important histories and may help initiate connection and partnership with Indigenous peoples and nations. Land acknowledgments are often cited during the opening remarks of an event or presentation, and they may be posted in online or print communications.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Land Acknowledgment
When our institution’s namesake formally agreed to permit his name to be used by Albert Einstein College of Medicine, it was with the understanding that the new medical school would “welcome students of all creeds and races.” As an institution founded on this principle of inclusivity, we continue to seek to expand our legacy of equity and social justice for all.
We appreciate that we are located on Lenape (luh-nah-pey) homelands and waterways and are grateful for the resources that land offers us in pursuing our goals and ideals. We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples are the original stewards of the land we live and work on and that there has been a violent displacement, dispossession, and erasure of Indigenous people in the Bronx and beyond. We recognize the unique challenges and injustices that Indigenous peoples have faced historically and still encounter today, we honor the diverse cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples, we seek to increase our awareness and understanding of their cultures and communities, and we work to eliminate injustice in our educational and professional environment.
Global Native Land Map: https://native-land.ca/
Read the full letter from Albert Einstein here.
Institutional Efforts
The Einstein Council for Diversity and Inclusion was educated on land acknowledgments and have established a land acknowledgment to share with our Einstein community, to foster greater awareness and appreciation of those whose land we now use, their history, and culture.
Einstein’s office of diversity and inclusion have met with students, faculty, and staff who identify as Native American to learn more about their experiences and needs.
Einstein’s Faces of Einstein series has highlighted stories about Einstein community members of Native American descent to increase their visibility and voice.
Einstein’s office of diversity and inclusion connected with the American Indian Community House (AICH), a nonprofit that serves the health, social service, and cultural needs of Native Americans residing in New York City. We have begun a dialogue with the AICH with hope of enhancing opportunities for Native American students at Einstein and for broadening understanding of the unique cultural perspectives of the American Indian and Alaskan Native community.
Einstein’s office of diversity enhancement is working to ensure that students who are Indigenous are proactively engaged in our pathways opportunities to enter the fields of science and medicine.
Recommended Individual/Group Action Steps
- Learn more about Indigenous peoples in the Bronx and beyond.
- Listen to the stories and voices of Indigenous peoples.
- Partner with and donate to organizations serving Indigenous peoples.
- Support projects and businesses led by Indigenous peoples.
- Explore Indigenous art, music, and culture.
- Advocate for causes that protect the land, health, and well-being of Indigenous peoples.
Helpful Resources
If you identify as an Indigenous person and are interested in learning more about Einstein and opportunities within our institution that there may be for you, you may email einstein-diversity@einsteinmed.edu.