Land Acknowledgement
With gratitude, we honor the Indigenous stewards of the lands and waters now known as Saratoga Springs. This area continues to hold deep significance for Mohican, Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk), and Abenaki communities, from whom it was seized. Skidmore College commits to educating our campus community about Indigenous histories and legacies. We further commit to truth, transformation, and repair through partnership with local Indigenous Nations and communities, and through a collective responsibility to steward the lands and waters as a place for peace for all future generations.
2026-2030 Institutional Commitments
- Supporting an Elder-in-Residence Program with opportunities for public engagement and classroom learning
- Providing resources for Skidmore's compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
- Facilitating service-learning experiences with partners such as Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community, Ndakinna, and the Six Nations Iroquis Cultural Center
- Uplifting Indigenous People’s Day
- Maintaining our campus Tree of Peace
- Welcoming Indigenous leaders and partners to campus through programs such as Neighbors of the Onandaga Nation (NOON) and related initiatives
Pronounciations
We recognize and honor the Indigenous peoples whose names and languages carry deep cultural significance. Below are pronunciations to support accurate understanding.
Mohican (Muhhekunneuw)
Pronunciation: muh-huh-KUN-neuw
Meaning: "People of the great river" or "people of the waters that are never still," referencing
the Hudson River.
Mohawk(Kanienʼkehá꞉ka)
Pronunciation: gah-nyen-geh-HAH-ga
Meaning: "People of the Flint"
Abenaki
Pronunciation: AH-buh-nah-ke
Meaning: "People of the Dawn" or "Easterners"
Frequently Asked Questions