Land Acknowledgement

Shoreline College acknowledges that we occupy the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples. We recognize The Coast Salish people as the caretakers of this land since time immemorial and as a community, we strive towards building authentic relationships with the sovereign nations of this region. In addition, Shoreline Community College is committed to truth and reconciliation, and the fostering of an inclusive and supportive environment for all Indigenous communities. 

As a Shoreline community we are committed to being rooted in listening, learning, and in uplifting Indigenous voices. The college grounds have traditionally served as a place for education, community, medicine, and co-existence with non-human relatives by Indigenous peoples. It was in this spirit of care and deep mutual love between people and the land that created a bountiful territory that cared and supported several Indigenous Nations. 

Moreover, we acknowledge the practices and policies in which indigenous lands were occupied, and dispersed through treaties, specifically the Treaty of Medicine Creek of 1854 and the Treaty of Point Elliott of 1855 to name two. We recognize the impact of these treaties and the influence of policies such as the Discovery Doctrine and Manifest Destiny on shaping the economic, political, and educational principles that continue to impact Indigenous people and their way of life all over what we call the Americas. Additionally, we must support and acknowledge the importance of the Centennial Accord, Millennium Agreement, and RCW 43.376, documents and rulings that bound us together.  

Today Shoreline College is committed to taking steps to honor our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with tribal nations from all over Indian Country. As a college we are dedicated to building these relationships with mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity with the hope of supporting all Indigenous members of our Shoreline Community. This document serves not only as our statement of commitment but is one of many steps the college is actively taking to support Indigenous Staff, faculty, and students which can all be explored on our Land Education page. 

This statement was created with input from indigenous staff, faculty and community members. Historical information was gathered from tribal nation websites and revised with assistance from BIPOC staff and faculty. This is a living document, and we will continue to revise and edit it as we build authentic relationships with our Indigenous Communities. 

For more history, resources, and guidance about writing and using Indigenous land acknowledgements, please visit our Land Acknowledgement Learning Guide.