Insight Meditation Community of Western Massachusetts (IWM) Land Acknowledgement - 7/25/23 (updated links 12/6/23)
We acknowledge that IWM is situated on Nipmuc & Pocumtuc land. The center is here today as a result of the history of settler colonialism in this region, and the continuing private ownership of this land, currently by Eastworks. “Settler colonialism is the removal and erasure of Indigenous populations, communities, and nations that pre-exist the arrival and creation of the settler nation.” (source: theindigenousfoundation.org)
As Buddhists, it is our commitment and our practice to turn towards the truth, however painful it may be. We affirm that facing difficult truths - in this case the truth of the violent histories that have led to our presence here today - is essential to ethical conduct, and to liberation itself.
IWM seeks to honor the Nipmuc and Pocumtuc people whose long history is also the history of the land where our center stands, and, in the spirit of sila and non-harming, to take up the work of repairing the damage caused by the colonization of this land. Repair begins with acknowledging the complex causes and conditions that have led to our center occupying this location. As Buddhists, we believe that we are not separate from but are rather continuous with the land, the air, and the water, as well as the histories that have given rise to present circumstances. We aspire to live in a way that reflects the truth of interdependence, by caring for the earth, the air, and the water, and by contributing to the healing of the damage caused by centuries of occupation of unceded land and oppression of Indigenous people.
We are thankful to the Indigenous communities of Western Massachusetts, for the work they continue to do to steward the land and honor the interconnectedness of all beings with each other and the earth itself.
We recognize the Wampanoag to the East, the Mohegan, Pequot, and Narragansett to the South, the Mohican and Mohawk to the West, and the Abenaki to the North.
We hope that you will join us in supporting the efforts of Indigenous people, including regional efforts, for increased recognition and rights. You can read more about these efforts below.
Get involved:
Helpful Websites:
Read/Watch/Listen:
We acknowledge that IWM is situated on Nipmuc & Pocumtuc land. The center is here today as a result of the history of settler colonialism in this region, and the continuing private ownership of this land, currently by Eastworks. “Settler colonialism is the removal and erasure of Indigenous populations, communities, and nations that pre-exist the arrival and creation of the settler nation.” (source: theindigenousfoundation.org)
As Buddhists, it is our commitment and our practice to turn towards the truth, however painful it may be. We affirm that facing difficult truths - in this case the truth of the violent histories that have led to our presence here today - is essential to ethical conduct, and to liberation itself.
IWM seeks to honor the Nipmuc and Pocumtuc people whose long history is also the history of the land where our center stands, and, in the spirit of sila and non-harming, to take up the work of repairing the damage caused by the colonization of this land. Repair begins with acknowledging the complex causes and conditions that have led to our center occupying this location. As Buddhists, we believe that we are not separate from but are rather continuous with the land, the air, and the water, as well as the histories that have given rise to present circumstances. We aspire to live in a way that reflects the truth of interdependence, by caring for the earth, the air, and the water, and by contributing to the healing of the damage caused by centuries of occupation of unceded land and oppression of Indigenous people.
We are thankful to the Indigenous communities of Western Massachusetts, for the work they continue to do to steward the land and honor the interconnectedness of all beings with each other and the earth itself.
We recognize the Wampanoag to the East, the Mohegan, Pequot, and Narragansett to the South, the Mohican and Mohawk to the West, and the Abenaki to the North.
We hope that you will join us in supporting the efforts of Indigenous people, including regional efforts, for increased recognition and rights. You can read more about these efforts below.
Get involved:
- Petition: Return Lampson Brook Farm to the Nipmuc People
- Indigenous Reparations Campaign: Western MA SURJ
- MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda (2023-2024)
Helpful Websites:
- Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation
- No Loose Braids
- Ohketeau Cultural Center
- Tribal Government of the Nipmuc Nation
- Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness
- Native Land Conservancy
Read/Watch/Listen:
- Living Presence of Our History
- The Shoestring: Nipmuc Leaders Push for State-Owned Land Back in Belchertown
- We Are Still Here - Nipmucs Yesterday and Today: video with Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band Sachem Cheryll Toney Holley
- An Indigenous Perspective on Land Use: podcast with Nohham R. Cachat-Schilling, Kanien’keha:ka-Nashawe Nipmuk Medicine Person