Mesa's Land Acknowledgment

THE LANDS THAT COMPRISE PRESENT-DAY MESA ARE CULTURALLY AFFILIATED WITH THE O'ODHAM, PIIPAASH, AND THEIR ANCESTORS.

The City of Mesa acknowledges that we gather on the homeland of the Native people and their ancestors, who have inhabited this landscape from time immemorial to the present day. The landscape is sacred and reflects cultural values central to the O’Odham (known as the Pima) and the Piipaash (known as the Maricopa) way of life and their self-definition. This acknowledgment demonstrates our commitment to work in partnership with Ancestral Indigenous Communities to foster understanding, appreciation, and respect for this heritage.

The City of Mesa has preserved and continues to steward sites and landscapes located within the boundaries of Arizona’s tribal nations, including Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC) and the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), which are among the 22 federally recognized Arizona Indigenous tribes. We appreciate and value the opportunity we have to share in the significance and beauty of these lands that mean so much to so many. We offer our respect to all O'odham and Piipaash of the past, present, and future, and honor their legacy through the vital meaning and intent of this land acknowledgment statement.

This statement was issued via Proclamation on February 5, 2024.

What is a Land Acknowledgment statement?

A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects the Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of a particular land and the enduring relationship that exists between the peoples and their traditional lands.

The Land Acknowledgement by itself is a small gesture. It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed action. The City of Mesa has a long history and relationship with our Tribal partners and the collective work we do to respect their culture and steward sites that we know are meaningful to them.

Why does Mesa have a Land Acknowledgment?

Mesa’s Land Acknowledgment was developed with and through our partners in the Four Southern Tribes: Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Ak Chin Indian Community, and Tohono O'odham Nation, which are among the 22 federally recognized Arizona Indigenous tribes.

As part of Mesa’s Together Mesa initiative, Mesa is a welcoming and inclusive place for all. We want to raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives, and experiences that came before our City’s inception. This acknowledgment intends to demonstrate our commitment to our Tribal partners to promote native cultural heritage and education with authenticity and respect.

Mesa’s Early Origins

The ancestral Sonoran Desert dwellers were the first people to live in the area now called Mesa. They flourished in these lands for millennia and their direct descendants, the O’odham people, remain here to this current day. Between approximately 300 and 1450 CE ancestral Sonoran Desert dwellers developed a complex farming society that established settlements throughout the Salt River Valley, such as Mesa Grande and S’edav Va’aki, and built a large and advanced network of irrigation canals. Ancestral Sonoran Desert dwellers produced elaborate material culture including pottery, basketry, stone tools, and shell jewelry. This legacy continues today through the work of highly talented O’odham artists.

When should the Land Acknowledgment be included?

The Land Acknowledgment should be a prominent agenda item at the beginning of formal meetings, celebrations, events, or activities, ideally as the first item or within opening remarks. A good rule of thumb is to include it at any meeting or event that also includes a performance of the National Anthem, flag salute, or recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Land Acknowledgement is provided in several variations below to choose from such as introducing a program, giving a presentation, signing an email message or letter, or publishing a document. The use of these statements is incorporated into formal City of Mesa operations and is otherwise optional and voluntary.

Who should NOT deliver the Land Acknowledgment?

Mesa’s Land Acknowledgement is made available for use in a variety of formats. These words should be offered with respect, and grounded in authentic reflection, presence, and awareness.

Brief Land Acknowledgment (email signature)

The City of Mesa is located on the traditional lands of the O’Odham (Pima) and the Piipaash (Maricopa).

Shortened Land Acknowledgment (youth-friendly, oral-only statement)

We want to acknowledge that Mesa is on the traditional lands of the O’Odham (known as Pima) and the Piipaash (known as the Maricopa) and we offer our respects to honor their legacy and heritage.

Official Land Acknowledgment Statement (meeting start, events, activities, text, etc.)

The City of Mesa acknowledges that we gather on the homeland of the Native people and their ancestors, who have inhabited this landscape from time immemorial to the present day. The landscape is sacred and reflects cultural values central to the O’Odham (Pima) and the Piipaash (Maricopa) way of life and their self-definition. This acknowledgment demonstrates our commitment to work in partnership with Ancestral Indigenous Communities to foster understanding, appreciation, and respect for this heritage.

Full Extended Version (formal narration, official documents, etc.)

The City of Mesa acknowledges that we gather on the homeland of the Native people and their ancestors, who have inhabited this landscape from time immemorial to the present day. The landscape is sacred and reflects cultural values central to the O’Odham (known as the Pima) and the Piipaash (known as the Maricopa) way of life and their self-definition. This acknowledgment demonstrates our commitment to work in partnership with Ancestral Indigenous Communities to foster understanding, appreciation, and respect for this heritage.

The City of Mesa has preserved and continues to steward sites and landscapes located within the boundaries of Arizona’s tribal nations, including Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC) and the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), which are among the 22 federally recognized Arizona Indigenous tribes. We appreciate and value the opportunity we have to share in the significance and beauty of these lands that mean so much to so many. We offer our respect to all O'odham and Piipaash of the past, present, and future, and honor their legacy through the vital meaning and intent of this land acknowledgment statement.

Pronunciations

Maricopa (mair-i-kOH-puh)
O’odham (OH-uh-dahm)
Pima (pEE-muh)
Piipaash (pEE-posh)

Text Version (download)

Video (download)