AA/26/AS/19/SEC - Land Acknowledgement and Recognition

Effective Fall 2019

WHEREAS, the Stanislaus State campus rests on the native land of the Yokuts people who have been its caretakers for time immemorial; and 

WHEREAS, the Yokuts did not cede the land to the U.S. or state government through any ratified treaty and such treaties as were ratified were routinely violated by state and/or federal government; and 

WHEREAS, Stanislaus County and Stanislaus State carry the name of Lacquisemne Yokuts Chief Cucunuchi-later renamed by the Spanish “Estanislao” after the Polish saint, Stanislaus-who led serious rebellions against the California mission system, and defended this area from multiple attacks by Spanish forces and Mexican authorities based in what is now southern San Joaquin County in the early nineteenth century; and 

WHEREAS, the Yokuts population was vastly reduced through genocide, disease, and environmental disruption brought upon it by non-indigenous settlers; and 

WHEREAS, Stanislaus State is an institution of higher learning dedicated to evidence-based history and research; and 

WHEREAS, Stanislaus State is an institution that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as vital components of educational quality; and 

WHEREAS, Stanislaus State is committed to better understand its local Indigenous roots, and seeks to forge stronger alliances and relationships with its local Indigenous tribal governments and partners; and 

WHEREAS, Ethnic Studies Professor Dr. Cueponcaxochitl Sandoval, Associate Dean Sari Miller-Antonio and the Indigenous Students in Activism Club worked with Nototomne [Northern Yokuts Nation Tribe] Elders and Stanislaus State President Ellen Junn to compose a culturally appropriate land acknowledgement specifically for Stanislaus State; and 2 

WHEREAS, the Land Acknowledgment statement was accepted by the Northern Valley Nototomne Yokuts Tribal Elder; therefore be it 

RESOLVED, that the Academic Senate adopt the Land Acknowledgment statement that recognizes Yokuts traditional residence on and stewardship of the land on which Stanislaus State currently resides; and be it further 

RESOLVED, that the attached Land Acknowledgement be promulgated ubiquitously throughout the university in forms such as, but not limited to, oral statements and ceremonial introductions at campus events, written statements on university webpages, written statements on college departmental, or programmatic websites, in course syllabi, or on commemorative plaques. 

Review History: Approved unanimously by the Academic Senate on 11/12/19 

Approved by President Ellen Junn on 12/12/19 

Academic Affairs Division has the primary responsibility for this policy.

Attachment(s): AA/26/AS/19/SEC Land Acknowledgement and Recognition  

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