The Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission acknowledges the Indigenous inhabitants and original stewards of this land, the Sauk and Meskwaki peoples, as well as all Natives who have been present here: the Ioway, Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) and Potawatomi (E. Bryden, 2023). Recognition also goes to Sauk warrior and leader, Chief Black Hawk – Native name Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak – as Black Hawk County is an homage to his legacy (Lewis, 2023).
Commissioners ask that when our community members gather, we create space and dialogue for honoring and recognizing the history of the Indigenous peoples past and present – their heritages, cultures, beliefs and languages. We also commit to recognizing how we have come to gather in this place and what it means for those who have endured and continue to endure violence, trauma, displacement, forced and broken treaties, silencing and erasure. We work to be better caretakers of the land we inhabit, to build meaningful relations with Native communities, and we move forward together with the knowledge of these legacies and lived experiences.
Bibliography
E. Bryden, Cedar Falls Public Library (personal communication, March 22, 2023).
Lewis, J. (2023, January 1). Black Hawk. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Black-Hawk-Sauk-and-Fox-leader