Written:
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation acknowledges that its offices are located on the traditional land of the Ho-Chunk (Hoocąk), Menominee (Mamaceqtaw), Potawatomi (Bodéwadmi) and Kickapoo (Kiikaapoi) nations. History shows this land also served as a homeland to the Lakota/ Dakota (Očhéthi Šakówiŋ), Myaamia and Peoria. This land intersects with the shores of Michigami and the riverbanks of the Milwaukee, Menominee and Kinnickinnic rivers.
The Foundation recognizes that Wisconsin remains home to tribal people from sovereign nations including the Ojibwe, Stockbridge-Munsee, Oneida, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Potawatomi and Brothertown. Those and others were and are stewards of this land.
The Foundation further recognizes that the four counties it works with – Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Washington – traditionally was the land of the Ho-Chunk, Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Myaamia and Menominee. This land remains home to those Nations’ descendants.
Oral:
As we gather here today, we acknowledge that the Greater Milwaukee Foundation offices reside on the traditional homelands and waterways of Native people including the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Potawatomi and Kickapoo. They were forcibly removed from their homes and forced to assimilate. Their relationship with the land and surrounding water pre-dates ours and will extend far beyond our own. We offer our respect to the knowledge, culture and wealth that white supremacy destroyed.
We acknowledge that this country was built upon the labor of Black and Brown people, who were stolen and enslaved. We offer our respect to all Black lives and the knowledge, culture and wealth that white supremacy destroyed.
We recognize our duty and commitment to build a beloved community, where equity and social justice prevail. We acknowledge the work that has been done and the work to come to achieve this.
The information was sourced from native-land.ca, the Milwaukee Public Museum, Wisconsin First Nations American Indian Studies, UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University.
Listen to the Foundation's Land Acknowledgment
Our Strategic Plan, released in the Fall of 2020, builds on the Foundation’s nearly 100-year history, and our core competencies and values. Guiding our activities over the next five years, the plan relies on our primary strengths of serving donors, providing strong investment results, building permanent charitable assets and funding a range of community organizations and programs.
