Montclair School Was Built On Land That Belonged To Tribal Nation

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A school in Montclair recently held an “acknowledgment ceremony” to recognize that it resides on what was once the land of the Lenni Lenape tribal nation.

In the months leading up to the ceremony at Renaissance Middle School, teachers Anthony Colon and Rodney Jackson met with the Rev. John Norwood, who is a member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribal nation.

According to district administrators, Norwood shared perspectives and guidance with Colon and Jackson, helping to shape Renaissance's land acknowledgement statement. It reads:

“Renaissance Middle School, as part of the Restorative Justice Initiative, acknowledges that the land our town and school is built on is part of the traditional land of the Lenni Lenape People. The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory since ancient times. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north (Indian Removal Acts) but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of NJ. We acknowledge the Lenni Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgement of the continuing presence of these tribal communities in their homeland, we affirm our respect for the heritage and legacy of their people. We hold to the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of immigrants to this land, ‘as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon and stars endure.’”

As the ceremony drew closer, Colon and Jackson also collaborated with their peers, John Garzon, Susan Thomas and Edward Woodward. Collectively, the educators created lessons and fostered discussions that “focused on the impacts of marginalization, colonialism and land-based injustice on indigenous people historically and today,” district administrators said.

In addition, Woodward and students from the art class worked together – also under Norwood’s guidance – to create a flag for display in the school’s lobby. The image the staff and students chose for the flag blended the school symbol – a lotus flower – with a box turtle.

Both the plaque and the flag are displayed in the lobby of the school’s entrance.

“A tremendous amount of work went into planning this important and impactful Land Acknowledgement at Renaissance,” Principal Maria Francisco said.

“The time and effort dedicated to this event allowed our students to use critical thinking strategies as they learned about the impact that colonialism has had on native people in the Western world,” Francisco said.

Additionally, students were able to partake in discussions that provided historical insight, specifically, as it relates to the story of Christopher Columbus, Francisco said.

“Lastly, students were able to recognize that social justice issues are not new, and as a result, found feelings of compassion and appreciation for others in their own communities,” Francisco said.

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