Photo: Jamesport Site
Courtesy of the artist, Jeremy Dennis ©2017
www.jeremynative.com

(From the project: On This Site – Indigenous Long Island, an art-based photography project by Shinnecock artist Jeremy Dennis.)

Land Acknowledgment

Since time immemorial, indigenous people have lived upon – and belonged to – the unceded land we now refer to as the North Fork of Long Island.

We acknowledge the Corchaug people who lived primarily between what is now Wading River to the center of the island and east along the northern fluke of the island to Orient Point.

We acknowledge the other indigenous groups on the East End of Long Island: the Unkechaug, Shinnecock, Montaukett, and Manhanset “tribes” (as they became known after European contact). We recognize and respect their ancient and continuing connection to this region we now call home. We are committed to finding ways to become advocates for their sovereignty and for the preservation and return of lands to those descendants of the region’s first inhabitants who continue to thrive here.

We strive to honor their ancestors, to work equitably and honorably toward social justice with their descendants, and to use our talents and resources to work to mitigate past and present injustices.

We further acknowledge all people, enslaved and exploited, who have in the past worked, and continue to live and work on this land.

We encourage everyone to learn more about the history and current activities of the native people on the East End of Long Island and beyond.

We are grateful to Jeremy Dennis (Shinnecock) for his guidance. This acknowledgment is a living document, which will be updated as we continue to learn.