Native and Indigenous Engagement

Pima Community College supports and celebrates its relationship with all tribal, Alaskan native, and indigenous peoples. Pima Community College sits on the indigenous lands of the Tohono O’odham peoples and the extended homeland of the Pascua Yaqui peoples. Pima Community College also supports students who attend from all 22 federally recognized native nations in Arizona, as well as the 574 federally recognized native nations in the United States. Indigenous populations exist throughout the world and Pima Community College has the potential to serve any of them.

As such Pima Community College has committed itself to providing service and education that celebrates indigenous cultures and stewardship while also recognizing the history of displacement and dispossession. For example, the Tohono O’odham Nation is the second largest reservation in Arizona, allocated in the south central to western part of the state, down to the Mexico border. The Pascua Yaqui, whose traditional homelands are along the Yaqui River in Mexico, fled to South Arizona to escape genocide and slavery by the Mexican government. From this commitment Pima Community College acknowledges, celebrates, and affirms the lands we are on the sovereignty of the various native nations.

Pascua Yaqui Tribe Partnership

Tohono O’odham Nation and Tohono O'odham Community College Partnerships

Land and Labor Acknowledgement

Pima Community College is on the original homelands of the Tohono O’odham People and the extended homelands of the Pascua Yaqui Tribes. Additionally, Pima Community College has students, employees, and members of the community from many of the tribal and indigenous groups within the United States and worldwide.

We honor and pay respect to these persons, past, present, and future who have and will continue to nurture, sustain, and steward these lands. We honor the labor and sacrifice of various peoples that have helped to create and sustain the United States both those recognized and unrecognized. As the current stewards of this space, it is our collective responsibility to hold these truths, to celebrate their contributions, and to work together to overcome challenges of the past to create a community of the whole. We strive to embrace a system in which all persons' voices are celebrated, their expressions of self respect, and their stories uplifted.

As an educational institution, we encourage everyone to learn about the land we inhabit, the tribal communities connected to this land, the history and practices that created this great country, and the ways in which each individual can contribute to the cultivation of the land, community, and learning. Pima Community College will continue to invest in our commitment through our partnerships with tribal and indigenous organizations, community organizations that represent all parts of the Pima County Community, and to invest in educational opportunities and initiatives.

Labor and Land Acknowledgement for Public Use

This should be used as part of events throughout Pima Community College and is usable by employees in their work.

We acknowledge that Pima Community College is located on the homelands of the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui peoples. We encourage everyone to learn about the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and to acknowledge their long histories, rich cultures, and deep connections to the land on which we live, work, and learn together.

We honor the labor of those who built the foundation of the United States and continue to nurture its growth. We encourage everyone to learn about our history, arts, and culture as a community and country.

Pima Community College celebrates the love and commitment of our ancestors to these lands and along with the community strive to continue that work.

You may also engage in further reflection (either recognize the gathering or ask people to form a circle):

Circles and gatherings create inherent recognition because we are forced to witness each other. It comes from a variety of traditional practices including those of indigenous peoples.

In this gathering we come together as members of this community from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences to share in the ownership of our community. Together we acknowledge our past. We recognize we are the means to establish wellness, civility, and care for others. We are the stewards of this land, this history, and this community. Together we can build conditions of belonging, learning, and excellence.

This circle represents our commitment and hope for a caring, connected, and peaceful world.

What is a Land and Labor Acknowledgement and Why Go Beyond?

What is a Land Acknowledgment?

Traditionally, a land acknowledgment is a custom that dates back centuries in many Native Nations and communities as a way to both honor the stewardship of the land and recognize the people whose land they were on. Today, land acknowledgments are used by Native Peoples and non-Natives to honor the Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live. Land acknowledgments do not exist in a past tense, instead the historical context is used to build our mindfulness of our present participation.

What is a Labor Acknowledgment?

Labor acknowledgements have been developed to acknowledge the history and building blocks of the United States. They are derived from the land acknowledgement concept as a way to educate and honor the sacrifices, stewardship, and ongoing struggles. Like land acknowledgments, labor acknowledgements are not just about the past but also a commitment to improve the systems and overcome the struggles of today.

Why and how does Pima Community College acknowledge the land and labor?

Pima Community College’s history and mission is to bring educational opportunities to all parts of the community. These principles have been part of the institution since its inception and continue to be found throughout its systems. Like all organizations and people, words are not the work, thus Pima Community College uses these acknowledgements to remind itself and the community of these values, and to promote ongoing commitments to action that improve and change its systems and behaviors.

It shares its acknowledgments before public events, within key materials, and various important gatherings. It encourages others to also use land and labor acknowledgements. However, it is important to note that acknowledgments must be given with respect, dignity, and a commitment to their intention.

Going Beyond Land and Labor Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements serve two functions, they educate and they honor. Honoring is a way to remember the sacrifices, experiences, and stewardships that have and will continue to occur. As an education institution, education is one of the most important things that we do. Our acknowledgements provide the historical and contemporary context around the land, labor, and peoples.

However, an acknowledgement is not an action. While many of the actions resulting in this historical context occurred in the past, the ramifications are still experienced today. Organizations and individuals cannot change the past, but we can work to change lingering systems that continue to create struggle and keep individuals from realizing the American dream.

For more information about Going Beyond, land and labor acknowledgements, Native Nations and Indigenous people, and similar topics please see the resource page.

Pima Community College Commitment to Going Beyond

As part of its ongoing and deepening efforts to go beyond land acknowledgments, Pima Community College has engaged in a variety of initiatives that focus on indigenous people, immigrants and refugees, and various cultural identities. It continues to expand and grow in its commitment. If you are interested in helping in this area please contact the Office of College and Community Connection. Some of the activities include, but are not limited too:

• A partnership with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe that provides a variety of educational services
• The establishment of Tohono O’odham Community College and ongoing support on various projects and initiatives
• Community connection to non-profit, business, and educational institutions to share, avoid duplication, and improve efficient use of resources
• Investment in safety and wellness resources so all persons within the College Community experience a healthy and safe education
• Open access education is a commitment that all persons have access to an education at Pima Community College