The Land Acknowledgement
We worship on the land of the Anishinaabeg: the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Bodéwadmi.
We celebrate the autonomy and wisdom of Native peoples – past, present, and future.
We are grateful for their principles of Walking in a Good Way.
This land remembers.
We honor the sovereignty of tribal nations.
We acknowledge their lived relationship honoring this land for thousands of years.
We lament their forced displacement.
God calls us to act for justice.
We strive to live in right relationship with all creation.
Teach us, Holy Spirit, the truth of our history;
challenge us to actively address the harms done from which we continue to benefit.
This land is witness.
The Journey
Read more about the journey at https://www.saintclareschurch.org/2023/01/31/st-clares-journey-towards-a-land-acknowledgement/.
Reflections from Members of the Land Acknowledgement Committee
My understanding of the native experience (still incomplete) has increased by orders of magnitude; this land
acknowledgement is an important step for our congregation. As well as group conversations, highlights for me have been
listening to the ‘This Land’ podcast and the Zoom session with Judge Connors. – Nick Bell
On first reading an early draft of the Acknowledgement, I heard poetry. In my experience, when we need words to contain
layers of meaning, shaping them into a SONG opens our ears to wider resonances. – Carolyn Blackmore
Maybe because it took place amidst the strain of Covid, and where I was in my life, but participating in the Sacred Ground
program made such a visceral impact on me that when it ended I felt quite adrift. The opportunity to engage in the Land
Acknowledgment process gave a real-time name and purpose to what Sacred Ground awakened in my mind, heart and soul and that has made all the difference. – Kate Morris Curtin
I have learned so much about the local Indigenous tribes and the colonization of their lands by European settlers while
working on our Land Acknowledgement. My visit to the Pine Creek Reservation in Fulton, MI gave me an appreciation of all
the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi is doing to provide for their members, working in harmony with their
environment and Walking in a Good Way. – Linda Klimach
My work in creating the Land Acknowledgement has taught me how critically important it is to seek out the voices that I
might not have heard, to take the time and attention needed to deepen my understanding, and to work diligently to share
that understanding with others in the community. My hope is that, as we pray these words together, the community of St.
Clare’s comes to share that understanding. – David Laurance
This work has strengthened my belief in the importance of community and relationships. I am grateful to our St. Clare
community for supporting it. – Nancy Lewis
It is one thing to know facts about the unrighteous treatment of Indigenous people. It is another thing entirely to have
these facts seep into your spirit and forever alter your perspective of all that is around you. That is what the work on the
land acknowledgement has done to me/for me. – Ann Putallaz
This process has transformed my spiritual and personal perspectives on creation care and faith in humanity. I am so
thankful to all who responded to our call for help with grace and wisdom. My gratitude to them, the committee, and St.
Clare’s congregants for opening doors and walking together on this meaningful journey. – Jennifer Wolf
Thank You
Thank you to the following people for their generosity, wisdom, and guidance in helping St. Clare’s craft a Land Acknowledgement.
Washtenaw County Peacemaking Court
- The Honorable Timothy Connors, presiding Judge of the Washtenaw County Peacemaking Court and a recipient of the Tecumseh Peacemaking Award as well as the Peace Builder Award
- Referee Susan Butterwick
- Sherry Fire, Judicial Coordinator
- Katie Orringer, Intern
The Honorable Michael Petoskey, Odawa, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, serving on the bench for seven federally recognized tribal communities in Michigan and, since 2002, presiding as Chief Judge of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi’s Tribal Court
Amber Neely, Ojibway, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Great Lakes Peace Center
- Bradley “Bud” Nedeau, Ojibway, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
- Deb Nedeau
- Kathy Vanden Boogaard
Canon Jo Ann Hardy, Canon to the Ordinary and Chief Operating Officer, Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Bobbie Ackley, Education Consultant (retired) to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Hannahville Indian Community Band of Potawatomi, and the Navajo Nation Rock Point Chapter
Carolyn Stillwell, Mediation Services Coordinator, The Dispute Resolution Center
Brett Shelton, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Senior Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
- Doug Taylor, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Bodéwadmi, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
- John Rodwan, Environmental Department Director
- Rev. Robert Williams, Sustainable and Sovereign Food Systems, Bodéwadmi, Nottawaseppi Huron Band
- of Potawatomi
- Jamie Stuck, Chairperson, Bodéwadmi, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A. Perry, 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
St. Clare’s Land Acknowledgement Committee
- Nick Bell
- Carolyn Blackmore
- The Rev. Anne Clarke
- Kate Morris Curtin
- Knut Hill
- Linda Klimach
- David Laurance
- Nancy Lewis
- Ann Putallaz
- Jennifer Wolf
The Congregants of St. Clare’s