A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories. This is important when reflecting on Long Island, which itself is a colonial name. The Indigenous name for this territory is Paumanauke, Wamponomo, or Sewanhackey.
Girls on the Run Long Island is based on the unceded land of the Merrick peoples. Our Long Island community was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous peoples, including those on whose land this institution is located. Long Island’s First Nations are not only a historic past, but a vital and powerful present and future. GOTRLI stands in solidarity with the thirteen Nations of Long Island- Shinnecock, Matinecock, Corchaug, Montaukett, Massapequa, Unkechaug, Nissequogue, Secatogue, Rockaway, Canarsie, and Setalcott-in their ongoing fight to preserve sovereignty, land, and livelihood. Right now, New York Nations and allies are working to pass the Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act (S5701 and A6724) in order to safeguard ancestral graves from destruction.
We are proud of Long Island's rich history and diverse communities, and encourage our friends to visit https://native-land.ca/ to learn more about the native land they work, live, and play on.