William Masselli ~ Editor in Chief
The University of Lynchburg’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted a land acknowledgement ceremony on March 21, 2022 to recognize that the university sits on land once owned by the Monacan Indian Nation.
Vice President of Inclusive Excellence Dr. Robert Canida said, “Through my wonderful experience in working at North Carolina’s only Historically American Indian University, I came to gain a greater appreciation and knowledge base for First Nations people. So when I came to the University of Lynchburg and learned of the Monacan Indian Nation, I knew it was the right thing to do. Therefore, a dedicated group of students, staff, faculty, and alumni came together to begin the conversation. One year later, we proudly and publicly announced the Land Acknowledgement.”
Canida also said, “I am very appreciative to those who showed up, especially our faculty who brought their students and staff members who invited their team. My thought is, those who were present were meant to be there. It is so paramount that our students, staff, and faculty know the history of the place they learn and work. Furthermore, knowing the significance and history, along with appreciating this land that so many Hornets call a home away from home, expresses gratitude and respect to those whose territory they/we reside on.”
Graduate student Claudio Otero said, “I enjoyed participating in this event because it is important to highlight the history on this campus that is not usually discussed. We are teaching the campus about the history of these lands. It was also very nice being at the event because I taught one of the scholarship recipients last year at Amherst County High School and I am currently teaching Lou Branham’s, one of the guest speaker’s nephews. It is nice to see them being recognized on this campus. I was happy with the number of people who came out today. I always would love for more people to be there, but today’s event had a pretty decent outcome.
Otero said, “My main takeaway is that our “American” History is not the only history that needs to be taught. The actual Americans are those who were on this land before it became colonized. I am happy to hear that some professors will be changing their curriculum and syllabus to reflect that.”
He believes students should try to learn more about their campus, stating, “Students should know the actual history. Just as we commemorate Columbus for “finding America” or George Washington for helping lead America to its independence from Great Britain, we should recognize those individuals who lived on this land way before then and treat this land as sacred as they once did. We take this campus for granted because it is what we know, but it would have been terrifying for someone to invade this campus and take the school from us just as it happened in the past to the Natives.”
If you are interested in learning more about our campus, please contact Dr. Canida at canida_rl@lynchburg.edu.
More Photos: All photos retrieved from John McCormick on Mar. 22, 2022.
Provost Alison Jablonski talks during the Land Acknowledgement Announcement on Mar. 21, 2022.
Dr. Canida teaches other students that the land that the University of Lynchburg is on used to be owned by the Monacan Indian Nation.
University of Lynchburg Students gather around the LOVE sign to hear the announcement about how the Monacan Indian Nation used to own the land that the University of Lynchburg is on.
Bradley Branham gave a speech at the Land Acknowledgement Announcement event on Mar. 21, 2022, at the University of Lynchburg.