The West Philly community gathered Saturday under the protection of a tree older than any of those in attendance, and Krista Nelson played her original song “Malcolm X Park” on her Native Turtle Island flute. Attendees closed their eyes, and could feel the nature that constantly surrounds people, even in the city.
To Nelson, a sixth-generation Lenape grandmother and Lenape language keeper, a land acknowledgment is more than just ticking a box or noting the origins of the Lenape land Philadelphians stand and live on. It’s about understanding the deep history of the Indigenous people and that they are still here with us today.
» READ MORE: On Native ground: As ‘land acknowledgments’ proliferate, Indigenous peoples want actions, not words
“The Lenape people saw everything, every being, as kin,” she said. “The trees are kin, the ground is kin, the space that we’re in is a relative. The stones beneath our feet are kin.”
This message is what organizers from Get Fresh Daily, Friends of Malcolm X Park, The Enterprise Center, and Painted Bride Art Center wanted to share with the community of West Philadelphia this Earth Day — green spaces are sacred places of rejuvenation.
Saturday’s programming, which was kicked off by Nelson’s land acknowledgment, was focused on highlighting Indigenous communities and giving them space to tell their stories.
After Nelson called to the five elements — earth, air, fire, water, and space — she began a more interactive portion of the land acknowledgment. Children were offered maracas and bells to play music, and were asked to call out their favorite animals and creatures.
“I like possums,” one of Nelson’s grandchildren called out.
“And rainbow fish,” another child added, providing comic relief.
The interactive and detailed land acknowledgments went on for 30 minutes, discussing Wissahickon Park tours that tend to erase Lenape history, a…
