For the last few years, Camp has been on an intentional journey of learning more about the indigenous history of the land here. We know it’s an ongoing process and will likely never be static or complete. Here is what we offer today as our land acknowledgment, recognizing it as one step of Camp’s journey seeking repair and reparations for Indigenous Peoples.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that we gather as Camp Friedenswald on traditional land of the Potawatomi People past, present, and future, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have tended it throughout the generations. We recognize and affirm the sovereignty of the Potawatomi and other indigenous nations.
Following treaties between 1821 and 1833, many Potawatomi people were dispossessed of their indigenous homelands by the United States government and forcibly removed. Our neighbors, the Pokagon band of the Potawatomi, continue to live in Southwest Michigan and remain an important part of our community today.
Knowing our history does not change the past, but a thorough understanding of the ongoing consequences of this past can empower us in our work for a just and peaceful future.
Resources
Read Skye McKinnell’s article on land acknowledgments and our process at Camp (printed in the spring 2021 Friedensword).
Find out whose land you are on using this GIS map and app.
Get started on land acknowledgment with this guide from the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture.
Watch “Then, Now and Always…the St. Joseph River Story” on WNIT for more history and to hear local Potawatomi people talk about their current efforts to restore nearby waterways.
Find more information and resources on Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition’s website.
Camp’s ongoing land acknowledgment journey
October 2019
Camp leadership affirmed the idea of creating a land acknowledgment statement for Camp. Research and collection of information began in earnest.
February 2020
Camp staff met with local Pokagon band leaders. The Pokagon band leaders encouraged Camp to create a land acknowledgment statement. They also encouraged Camp to see this as a beginning of a journey that results in more actions for repair and reparations with Indigenous Peoples.
May 2020
A draft of a statement was completed. Operations at Camp were greatly reduced due to COVID-19 pandemic, and statement adoption and implementation was shelved.
February 2021
Camp staff received affirmation of the draft land acknowledgment statement from Pokagon band leader, Marcus Winchester, with suggestions for improvements. Camp staff adjusted statement accordingly.
March 2021
Camp staff attended two related trainings. Skye McKinnell, sustainability assistant and lead researcher and author of Camp’s statement led “Why Land Acknowledgment”. Luke Gascho, founding member of the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery coalition and Goshen resident, led a session on the history of Cass County and surrounding area, with a focus on indigenous history.
April 2021
Camp board unanimously voted to adopt the land acknowledgment statement. Skye McKinnell wrote an article on land acknowledgment for the spring 2021 Friedensword.
May 2021
Camp staff began to use land acknowledgment in programming. Summer staff were trained on the land acknowledgment statement. Each summer worship session began with the statement. In addition, space was provided for conversations about Camp’s land acknowledgment journey with campers and constituents.
November 2021
Land acknowledgment, journey thus far, and additional resources were added to website.
December 2021
Camp Friedenswald became a member of the Repair Communities Network with the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery coalition.
January 2022
Mennonite Central Committee staff led Camp staff in “Loss of Turtle Island” exercise.
June – July 2022
Each youth summer camper learned about Indigenous land use perspectives through a curriculum developed and led by sustainability assistant, Emily Hilton-Nickel.
June-July 2023
Each youth summer camper went on a hike where they heard stories of Indigenous history of Cass County as well as examples of restoration and repair work Indigenous Peoples are engaging in today.
June/July 2024
Each youth summer camper heard Indigenous stories about animals from the book, “When Beaver Was Very Great” by Ojibwe storyteller and author Anne M. Dunn.
Local historian, Luke Gascho, spoke to the Camp Builder’s group on the topic of Indigenous history and settler impacts of the local area.