LAnd Acknowledgement

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County extends our heartfelt acknowledgment that we operate within the unceded ancestral territories of the Coast Salish Peoples. Situated on what is now known as Whidbey Island, this region was originally called Tscha-kole-chy (pronounced SHA-KOL-CHI) in Lushootseed, the language of its original inhabitants. The Klallam, Lower Skagit, Samish, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, and Tulalip Peoples have resided in the Salish Sea basin for countless generations, practicing hunting, fishing, gathering, and nurturing these lands since time immemorial. We honor these ancestral stewards and their descendants.

As an organization and as individuals who dwell on lands acquired through historical injustice, we are dedicated to our ongoing educational journey. This path entails an understanding of the unique histories of each of these nations, as well as our interconnectedness with these narratives, acknowledging the enduring impacts of colonialism on Native communities. We recognize and uphold the rights of these nations, pledging to actively listen, learn, and create a safe haven where Indigenous voices are not only heard but amplified.

We invite you to join us in expressing our profound respect and gratitude to the Indigenous people of this region for the enduring care and protection of the land that we now occupy.