NVC Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge this place now known as the San Antonio, Texas Region as the ancestral homeland to the Payaya people.
We acknowledge the San Antonio River as Yanaguana, (Spirit Waters in Pajalate) as the source of life for this city and commit to protecting her, all her tributaries and connected waters, and this land called Texas.
We acknowledge the area now known as Bexar County as being inhabited consistently for over 14,000 years by Native American people who left their marks as stories on rocks as petroglyphs for remembrance and as codes for storytelling and timekeeping.
We acknowledge this place known as South Central Texas as the traditional homeland of many other aboriginal peoples who are called Coahuiltecan by Spanish records and include the Tejas, Emat, Toaa, Cavas, Pacaos, Pajalat, Pitalac, Venados, Toloujas, Tacames, Orejones, Pacoas, Tilijayas, Alasapes, Pausanes, Chapopines, Venados, Pihuiques, Borrados, Payuguan, Yorica, Machomen, Sampanal, Sana, Hape, Cuaya, Semomam, Saracuam, Palucuam, Anaxu, Mescal, Terocadame, Siaguan, Oydican, Theoposa, Julime, Juman, Cucusa, Ticmama, Tripas Blancas, Tuicasa, Hyerbipiamo, Paquache, Muruame, Mesquite, Pampopas, Pastias, Sulijames, Sanipaos, Manos de Perro, Siaban, and many more.
We acknowledge the Battle of Krempkau Divide in 1872 that took place northwest of San Antonio in Grey Forest, Texas near Helotes Creek to the West and Leon Creek tributaries to the East and is known as the last Indian Battle in Bexar County, Texas that involved the Comanche and Texas Rangers.
We acknowledge that despite the systemic oppression and repeated attempts at genocide that has historically victimized peoples of Native American heritage, they have served and continue to serve honorably within the US Armed Forces and, time and again, have given their lives to defend the values of the United States of America.
We acknowledge that people of Native American heritage, who now number over 26,000 in San Antonio, Texas, continue to contribute to the development of this community in all its industries, the arts, civil and military service, and individual communities of purpose.
We acknowledge that within this institution, people of Native American heritage study, teach and serve within its classrooms, offices and grounds.
We acknowledge this homeland that would later include Comanches, and Lipan Apache who lived and cultivated corn (elote, Spanish for corn) in the Helotes, Texas Region in the 1700's, and who continue to sustain their traditional languages and customs.
We acknowledge Bandera Pass and recall the 1730s battle between Spanish Soldiers and the Apache, and which also marks the terminus of the Comanche Trail to East Texas, and the final resting place of a Comanche Warrior for whom offerings were made by every tribe that passed through and viewed the gravesite.
We acknowledge the resiliency, tenacity, and ability of Native American peoples to survive, heal and thrive despite the systemic oppression they have faced and commit to supporting Native Americans’ efforts to overcome this adversity and celebrate their success.
We acknowledge the opportunity to promote inclusion and justice by centering the needs of Native American peoples in decisions regarding public policy, service delivery, and distribution of resources in a manner that accounts for historical realities.
We acknowledge all this in the spirit of healing for all people and for all the generations.
*This land acknowledgement is the product of AITSCM research. Any subsequent research-oriented revision to this document is
(i) the sole responsibility of the client institution, (ii) not reflective of AITSCM research efforts and, (iii) will not carry with it the AITSCM logo or consent.