The discussion of land being taken away from and given to Native American Indians is a lengthy one fraught with many decisions and disagreements and recalibrations. Today, many institutions nationwide have been keen to acknowledge that the land upon which they sit is, indeed, Native American Indian land. We were particularly impressed with the depth and breadth of KC Rep’s commitment to understanding the concept of Land Acknowledgement. Their dedication to incorporating the theme into their ongoing programming is evident and comprehensive. This sparked our curiosity, so we reached out to just a few organizations to inquire as to their Land Acknowledgement statements. Here is what we found. 

Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s statement

“We would like to acknowledge that our theatre sits on the traditional, ancestral, and current home of Native Americans, Indigenous, and First Nations people. We ask you to join us in acknowledging the many tribal groups from our area, including the Osage, Kaw, Missouria, Shawnee and Wyandot tribes. We honor the elders, both past and present, and this calls us to commit to continuing to learn their stories as well as how to be better stewards of the land that we occupy.”

KC Rep has initiated a program called OriginKC: New Works Program. Designed to provide support for playwrights, composers, and musicians, the program will support an artist from the idea phase all the way through production. Within that context, Artistic Director Stuart Carden announced the launch of the American Crossroads Residency. Mary Katherine Nagel is the first resident in the program, and she will “… tell a Kansas City story about the Indigenous peoples and Native Nations who have shaped Kansas City into the community that Kansas City is today.” In turn, through a program called Four Directions Playwright Residency, Mary Katherine will work with Madeline Easley. Madeline is a Wyandot artist who is working on a play titled, “Representatives For Those At Peace.” The culminating reading and workshop will take place at the Copaken Stage on December 2nd.

Avila University’s statement

“We respectfully acknowledge that Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri is located on the ancestral homelands of the Wahzhazhe (Osage), Kanza (Kaw), Jiwere (Otoe) and Nutachi (Missouria) Tribes. The Pianshaw and Kaskaskia tribes had land here via treaty as well, as did the Shawnee and Delaware. We also acknowledge there are many other Tribal Nations with ties to this land, including those removed to this land from their ancestral homelands and those traveling through this region on forced marches due to Indian Removal efforts. The Potawatomi were marched near Avila on their March of Death.

This land acknowledgment gives gratitude to the original caretakers and affirms the continuing relationship between Indigenous People and this land. As current stewards of these lands, it is our responsibility to understand the history of the land, the peoples who came before us, and their continuing ties to this place.”

Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools’ statement

“Kansas City Public Schools acknowledges that our schools are built on the ancestral homelands of the Kaw (Kanza or Kansa), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations and Peoples. We honor and respect the Indigenous Peoples whose land is now part of our district boundaries. We acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples in Kansas City, the state of Missouri, and throughout the United States were forced to cede their territory and endure generations of genocide. Kansas City Public Schools is committed to creating a culture of equity and affirming all communities, especially those who are marginalized. The stories and heritage of Indigenous Peoples will be shared, valued and celebrated within our schools.”

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s statement

“Land Acknowledgements formally recognize, honor, and give thanks to the Native caretakers and residents of a region, as well as their ancestors and future generations. They counter the erasure of Native peoples by honoring Tribal histories and drawing attention to Tribes’ traditional lifeways and enduring spiritual connections to the land. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is in the process of revisiting our Land Acknowledgment to create an inclusive, collaborative, and accurate statement that centers the voices of Indigenous peoples.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art stands on the homelands of Native American peoples, at the juncture of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. In recent years, these nations have included the Missouria, Oto, Kansa, Osage, Shawnee, and Delaware. We pay respects to all Indigenous peoples — past, present, and future — for their continuing presence in the homeland and throughout the Native American diaspora.”

The University of Kansas Medical Center’s Statement

“Throughout the United States’ history, maps of Native nations and territories are often historically misrepresented and incomplete. History books and the borders illustrated on western maps often exclude migration, rich oral histories, sacred sites and colonialism survival stories for our Native people.

As a step toward reconciliation, The University of Kansas Medical Center acknowledges that KU Medical Center resides on the traditional homelands of several tribal nations, including the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Washtáge Moⁿzháⁿ (Kaw/Kansa), 𐓏𐒰𐓓𐒰𐓓𐒷 𐒼𐓂𐓊𐒻 𐓆𐒻𐒿𐒷 𐓀𐒰^𐓓𐒰^ (Osage), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Dakota, Lakota, Nakota), Shawnee and Waⁿdát (Wandat/Wyandot/Wyandotte/Huron) peoples. 

In addition, we recognize, advocate and support the sovereignty of the four federally recognized tribes who have reservations in Kansas, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.”

Featured in the November 11, 2023 issue of The Independent.