Penn State Berks honors history with land acknowledgement ceremony

WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks recently honored the indigenous tribes who inhabited the land where the campus is currently located in Spring Township by holding a land acknowledgement ceremony. The event, held on April 4, introduced the college’s land acknowledgement statement, developed in partnership with the Widoktadwen Center for Native Knowledge. It also included remarks by Amanda Funk of the Widoktadwen Center, presentations by two representatives of the Lenape nation, Chief Bluejay Barbara Michalski and Chief Gentlemoon Chuck DeMund, and a tree dedication ceremony.

Todd Migliaccio, vice chancellor and chief academic officer, opened the event by sharing the importance of this acknowledgement as a “recognition of the history, culture and contributions of the Lenape people as a steward of the land and the first step toward respect, understanding and reconciliation.” 

The event continued with an overview of the process of developing the statement, provided by co-chairs of the college’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee Aubrey Edwards and Alexa Hodge. They explained that the process of creating this acknowledgement spanned several months and began with careful research.

They stated, “This afternoon, we are honored to share with you the land acknowledgement statement developed for our campus community — a statement we hope reflects both deep respect and intentional effort.”

With the support of Migliaccio’s office, Edwards and Hodge first examined the land acknowledgement statement developed by Penn State Educational Equity for University Park campus. Then they reviewed those from fellow Big Ten institutions, which served as a valuable foundation, helping them to understand the language and responsibility that accompany such acknowledgments. 

From there, they turned their attention closer to home and explored statements crafted by institutions in the region. These local examples helped them consider the unique historical and cultural context of the land where Penn State Berks is located. 

After several drafts, they reached out to the Widoktadwen Center for Native Knowledge, located in Oley, to help refine and guide the final version of the statement. Edwards and Hodge connected with Amanda Funk, founding executive director of the Widoktadwen Center, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the visibility of Native Americans in Berks County and beyond through community education, leadership and activism.  

The co-chairs remarked that the feedback provided by Funk, “was instrumental in ensuring that our words are not only respectful but also rooted in authenticity and connection.”

Funk spoke at the celebration, providing her insights and experiences. She said, “This land acknowledgement for Penn State Berks is a crucial step in promoting visibility of Native Americans in Berks County.” 

The land acknowledgment statement was then presented. It reads: 
“The Pennsylvania State University Berks Campus resides on Lenapehoking, also known as the Land of the Lenape. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Indigenous people who stewarded it throughout the generations. As a land grant institution, we acknowledge, honor, and respect the past, present, and future of the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.”​ 

Two representatives of the Lenape nation also presented during the celebration: Chief Bluejay Barbara Michalski and Chief Gentlemoon Chuck DeMund. 

Chief Bluejay is a member of Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania and, in 2022, was appointed chief. She serves on the tribal council as vice president and she is also one of the storytellers. Bluejay teaches children the history of the Lenape Nation through crafts, storytelling and artifacts and has also been involved in environmental issues. During the celebration, Bluejay shared “The Legend of the Four Crows,” a prophetic Lenape story that symbolizes the history of the Lenape people, including their pre-colonial life, the destruction and exile caused by European colonization, their period of hiding, and their eventual return to thriving as caretakers of the land.   

Chief Gentlemoon serves as the keeper of ceremony and intertribal liaison for the Lenape Nation, as well as a member of the tribal council. Gentlemoon is also the drum keeper for the Itchy Dog Singers. During the celebration, he and his group led a healing drum circle. Gentlemoon shared that the drum represents the heartbeat of the Earth and he educated attendees on the songs they shared, how drums are made and how drums differ by tribe.  

The ceremony culminated in the dedication of an American persimmon tree — a symbol of resilience, nourishment and deep-rooted connection to the land. The American persimmon is a native, deciduous tree found throughout the central and eastern United States. It can grow up to 80 feet tall and 35 feet wide, offering both beauty and bounty. The name "persimmon" comes from the Powhatan word "pichamin," reflecting the tree’s long-standing significance to Indigenous communities. 

Funding for this event was provided by Student Initiated Fee Funds and the Mrs. Harold McI. Grout and Mrs. C. Glenn Kauffman Endowment for the Arts. 

For additional information, contact Edwards at ARE12@psu.edu or Hodge at AEH221@psu.edu.