Land
Acknowledgement
Honoring and Recognizing the Native American Peoples of This Region
Mt. San Antonio College
Land Acknowledgement
Mt. San Antonio College acknowledges and recognizes that the land in which we occupy is the unceded ancestral territory of the Gabrielino-Shoshone, Gabrielino-Tongva, and Gabrielino-Kizh nations, the Indigenous peoples of this region since time immemorial. Mt. San Antonio College is located near the Gabrielino village of Pemookanga, known today as the city of Walnut.
We recognize the Gabrielino people have suffered an immense loss of their people, culture, lands, water, and other natural resources due to the theft, murder, kidnapping, and enslavement. These injustices started with colonization, and most Indigenous people consider colonization a current and ongoing process.
Despite the atrocities and injustices committed against the original caretakers of this land, the Gabrielino remain to be a thriving community and continue to practice their traditions, heritage, sovereignty, self-determination, and spiritual relationship to their land. The nations that make up the Gabrielino community continue to work to protect their sacred ways and homelands for future generations. Their descendants are a testament to the resilience and strength of the Indigenous peoples that call this land their ancestral home.
The Gabrielino view this land as a source of healing, nourishment, and protection. As students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Mt. San Antonio College, we honor the Gabrielino people by acknowledging their legacy and current lived experiences.
We recognize this land acknowledgement as an opportunity for Mt. SAC to advocate for Indigenous students through support of the First Peoples Native Center and continued learning and shared knowledge for Native American and Indigenous peoples.
- Mt. San Antonio College First Peoples Native Center https://www.mtsac.edu/fpnc
- Jamie Rocha, Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California jrocha@gabrielinoshoshone.org
First Peoples Native Center
The First Peoples Native Center serves first as a dedicated support program for American Indian and Alaska Native students, while also functioning as a cultural hub for the campus. Grounded in culturally responsive and student-centered practices, FPNC supports students’ academic, personal, and cultural well-being by creating space for belonging, community connection, Native American-centered programming, and access to essential campus resources.
Through academic support, cultural programming, and connection to campus and community resources, FPNC recognizes that cultural identity, belonging, and representation are essential to student success. The center also supports campus learning by deepening understanding of Native American histories, communities, and traditional knowledge.
By connecting students to support while honoring Native American identity and community, FPNC helps American Indian and Alaska Native students thrive academically, culturally, and personally while strengthening pathways of resilience, leadership, and success.
Learn MoreResources
Explore resources to learn more, reflect, and take action in support of Native American communities.
California Land Acknowledgement and Tribal Consultation Toolkit for Serving American Indian and Alaska Native Students
The Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California is one of the indigenous groups that reside on their ancestral lands of the Los Angeles Basin.
Approved California Community Colleges Systemwide Land Acknowledgement Statement
