Indigenous People's Day 2023

Posted on 10/10/2023

In honor of Indigenous People's Day, Edgemont students attended an assembly to acknowledge the land Edgemont sits on and to honor the original inhabitants of this land, native people of the Lenape tribe.

Native percussionist William Ruiz facilitated a drum circle and students learned basic rhythm on the drums and some Taino language. A land acknowledgement statement was also read in English and Spanish by selected 5th graders. The statement read:

Edgemont Montessori School as part of the Restorative Justice movement recognize that the land our town and school is built on is part of the traditional land of the Lenni Lenape people. The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory since ancient times. We acknowledge the Lenni Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgement of the continuing presence of these tribal communities in their homeland, we affirm our respect for the heritage and legacy of their people. We hold to the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and non indigenous peoples of this land, "as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon and stars endure."

Students in a drum circle

Student reading the land acknowledgement statement

Students reading the land acknowledgement statement

Native percussionist William Ruiz facilitating a drum circle