Loisaida, Inc. Culture and Arts Center is a nonprofit organization located in the East Village/Lower East Side part of Manhattan, New York.

A land acknowledgement statement is a formal recognition of the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples who were the original inhabitants of the land where we live, work, and gather. It is a way to honor and respect the ongoing relationship that Indigenous peoples have with their lands, waters, and resources, and to recognize the history of colonialism, displacement, and ongoing harm that Indigenous peoples have experienced and continue to experience.

In the case of Loisaida, Inc., the land acknowledgement statement recognizes the traditional territory of the Lenape people and that the area now known as the East Village/Lower East Side was also historically home to many diverse Indigenous peoples, including the Canarsie, Munsee, and Wappinger. We also recognize and honor the ancestral lands of the many diverse Indigenous peoples who were forcibly brought to the Caribbean as part of the transatlantic slave trade and who have contributed to the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean region.

We recognize the ongoing relationships that Indigenous peoples and their descendants have with their lands, waters, and resources, and we honor their resilience, wisdom, and cultural traditions. We also acknowledge the history of colonization, displacement, and violence that has brought non-Indigenous peoples to reside on this land and the ongoing harm that Indigenous peoples and communities continue to experience.

As we work towards building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities, we also recognize the importance of acknowledging and honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of diverse communities of color, including those with Caribbean ancestry, who have made the East Village/Lower East Side their home. We are committed to supporting the ongoing work of Indigenous peoples and communities, including advocating for the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations

The statement also affirms a commitment to the ongoing work of reconciliation, decolonization, and building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities. This work can include engaging in education and awareness-building about Indigenous histories and cultures, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations, and advocating for the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and communities.

Overall, the land acknowledgement statement for Loisaida, Inc. Culture and Arts nonprofit organization is an important step towards acknowledging and respecting the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples and towards building more just and equitable relationships with them.

We recognize that land acknowledgements alone are not enough and that we must take action towards decolonization. We commit to taking the following steps towards decolonization:

• Engage in education and awareness-building about the histories, cultures, and ongoing experiences of Indigenous peoples and communities, including those with Caribbean ancestry, through programming, workshops, and community outreach.
• Work in partnership with Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations to support the ongoing protection of Indigenous lands, waters, and resources, and to advocate for the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples and communities.
• Ensure that our organization is committed to equitable and respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities, including those with Caribbean ancestry, in all of our activities, programs, and partnerships.
• Acknowledge and address the ongoing harm and trauma that colonization, displacement, and violence have inflicted upon Indigenous peoples and communities, including those with Caribbean ancestry, and work towards building meaningful and healing relationships.

As we work towards these goals, we also recognize the importance of centering the leadership and voices of Indigenous peoples and communities, including those with Caribbean ancestry, in all aspects of our work.