ACPA–College Student Educators International acknowledges, with respect, that the land on which our ACPA25 Convention is taking place is part of the traditional unceded homelands of the Tongva/Gabrieleño, the Acjachemen/Juaneño, and the Toongvetam peoples as well as a significant place of cultural knowledge and sacred teachings for many other tribes. This land, called Tovaangar, is home to Puvungna, “the gathering place,” the place of emergence in the origin traditions of the Tongva and Acjachemen peoples. We recognize that Puvungna is sacred land of extraordinary cultural significance that continues to serve as an active ceremonial ground today. We acknowledge that Puvungna, and the entirety of Tovaangar, remains unceded and unjustly occupied. As visitors to Tovaangar, we affirm our responsibility to listen, to learn, and to work for justice in this land.

Beyond acknowledging the land and in recognition of the impacts of historical and ongoing settler colonialism, including that perpetuated by North American institutions of higher education, ACPA actively commits to supporting professionals in higher education in decolonizing their practice and scholarship through our mission, values, and the Strategic Imperative for Racial Justice and Decolonization.

Pronunciation Guide 

Tongva/Gabrieleño (pronounced: TONG-vah/ gah-bree-ayl-AYN-yo)
Acjachemen/Juaneño (pronounced: ah-HACH-ah-men/wahn-AYN-yo)
Toongvetam (pronounced: TOONG-veh-tam)
Tovaangar (pronounced: toe-VAHNG-ar)
Puvungna (pronounced: pooh-VOONG-nah)

What is a Land Acknowledgement?

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.

Why do we recognize the land?

To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honoring the Indigenous People who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long-standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history.

Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is also worth noting that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol.

For more information on the process of creating a Land Acknowledgement, please see the resources below:

• A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement (via Native Governance Center): A suggested process and tips for creating an intentional statement.

• Native Land Digital: A worldwide map of Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages across the world.

• Practice the pronunciations of Native, Indigenous, and Tribal Nations. There are many resources online to assist with this and often audio clips or videos with examples.