Land Acknowledgement

Below is Kutztown University's land acknowledgement. At the bottom of the page can be found resources and information about scholarship opportunities for Native students from the Native Forward Scholars Fund.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Kutztown University resides on Lenapehoking (leh-NA-pe-ho-king), the traditional home of the Lenni Lenape. We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Munsee (MUHN-see), Susquehannock (suh-skwuh-HA-naak), Haudenosaunee (ho-den-no-SHOW-nee), and many other Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge, honor, and respect the past, present, and future of the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. 

Guidelines for Use of Land Acknowledgements

Land acknowledgements should be used in a respectful and appropriate way. They can be recited at the beginning of a meeting, public ceremony, or gathering of people. At KU, each department or event hosts can decide when it is appropriate to use.

A Land Acknowledgment Statement will be posted at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center and on the Kutztown University website.

Institutions writing and speaking land acknowledgements should take the proper time to conduct research on and acknowledge the Indigenous communities, and other communities, that lived in a certain location in the past, those who might have been displaced from that location, and those who currently live in the location. Take care to find accurate information. At KU, input from students, staff, and faculty were gathered. We then consulted with the Widoktadwen Center for Native Knowledge, Reading, PA.

Phonetic spelling of Indigenous tribes and nations can be included to assist speakers with pronunciation.

                Example: Widoktadwen (we-dock-TODD-win) Center for Native Knowledge, Reading, PA

pennsylvania german cultural heritage center

For a comprehensive history of those who came before us on this land, please visit the 3-part land history hosted by the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, which includes (1) the history of the Heritage Center as a folklife museum; (2) the history of the indigenous communities who lived here; and (3) the history of the Sharadin Farmstead coinciding with the development of the Keystone State Normal School. (forthcoming)

Scholarship information: native forward scholarship fund  Opportunities

For over 50 years, Native Forward Scholars Fund (formerly known as American Indian Graduate Center [AIGC]) has been creating and fostering partnerships with government agencies, corporate, tribal, and private donors. Through the support of their partners Native Forward proudly offers over twenty funding opportunities to American Indian and Alaskan Native students. They offer opportunities to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students ranging from $250.00 up to $30,000.00 per year. All of their opportunities can be found at https://www.nativeforward.org/AIGCS.org.

Need Based Opportunities

Scholarships that are awarded based off your financial need. Native Forward determines this from your Financial Need Form (FNF) that your college or university fills out and sends back on your behalf.

Merit Based Opportunities

Scholarships that are awarded based on your talents, leadership, community services, honors, awards, and not directly tied to your financial need. Native Forward still requires an FNF form to be submitted.

Have more questions? Visit the Student Resource Center at https://www.nativeforward.org/native-forward-student-center/.