We acknowledge that we are in the treaty and traditional homelands of the Dakota Oyate also known as the Sioux Nation. The Dakota Oyate is comprised of the Sisseton, Wahpeton, Wahpekute, and Mdewakanton peoples. Four federally recognized Dakota Tribal Nations remain in this area: Lower Sioux Indian Community, Prairie Island Indian Community, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and the Upper Sioux Indian Community. This region is also shared traditional territory and treaty lands with the Anishnaabe also known as the Ojibwe or Chippewa. Seven federally recognized Ojibwe Tribal Nations remain in this area: Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation and White Earth Nation.
We also acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous peoples whose footsteps have marked this territory and have joined into community here in this region.