by Bess Kamerance

At the UUA General Assembly of 2020, the vote was unanimous to address the treatment of Indigenous people in an Action of Immediate Witness. One of the first steps in this process for congregations is to declare a Territorial or Land Acknowledgement. In cooperation with the Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, which is part of the Syracuse Peace Council, the Green and Social Justice Committee of May Memorial is proposing the following acknowledgement that would be part of our website and our services. This acknowledgement was composed with help from members of Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation:

“We, the members of May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, acknowledge that our worship services are conducted on the ancestral land of the Onondaga Nation. It is with gratitude that we pay respect for their many generations of care and protection of our shared environment. The tragic history we share with Indigenous people must be acknowledged and remembered. In striving for accountability, we foster respect in our relationships with our Indigenous neighbors.”

In accordance with the process for voting on support of this acknowledgement, two town hall/informational sessions are scheduled for presentation and discussion of this proposal. They will be held after the respective services on May 2^nd and May 9^th. Subsequent to the Town Hall/Informational Sessions, the results of these meetings will be shared with the Board of Trustees for their input and review. The proposal will then be put to a vote at the Annual Congregational Meeting on June 13, 2021. Please plan to participate at one of these town hall meetings. The Green and Social Justice Committee looks forward to fulfilling the goal of recognition and relationship with the Onondaga Nation with cooperation and support from our congregation as a reflection of our Mission Statement.