Recognizing that the land that is now known as the United States of America was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples known as Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives.

IV 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 1264 Recognizing that the land that is now known as the United States of America was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples known as Native Ameri- cans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DECEMBER 15, 2020 Ms. NORTON submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Recognizing that the land that is now known as the United States of America was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples known as Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives. Whereas a land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as the origi- nal and traditional stewards of a given geographic area and the enduring relationship that exists between Indige- nous peoples and their ancestral lands; Whereas a formal statement of a land acknowledgment is a proper method to recognize the traditions of Indigenous peoples and ancestral land; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:00 Dec 15, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1264.IH HR1264 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 1264 IH Whereas a land acknowledgment is a practice that honors and respects contemporary Indigenous peoples’ connec- tion to their ancestral lands; Whereas a land acknowledgment is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to Tribes who first resided in this coun- try; Whereas a land acknowledgment serves as a reminder and a reflection on the impacts of colonialism, past and present; Whereas a land acknowledgment recognizes Indigenous peo- ples’ voices that have been devalued in past contexts; Whereas a land acknowledgment is a way to show both grati- tude and appreciation for those who were first on the land and encourages a broadening of awareness of Indig- enous peoples; and Whereas it is encouraged that formal land acknowledgments be performed at introductions of public and ceremonial events: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) honors the legacy of Indigenous peoples who 2 inhabited the land before the establishment of the 3 United States of America and continue to live in re- 4 lationship with their ancestral homelands today, and 5 recognizes their significance and ongoing contribu- 6 tions to the United States; and 7 (2) calls on State and local governments to en- 8 courage formal land acknowledgments, whether 9 verbal or written, before public or ceremonial events. 10 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:00 Dec 15, 2020 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR1264.IH HR1264 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS