LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Under the Umbrella sits on the occupied, unceded homelands of the Goshute, Shoshone, Paiute, and Ute peoples. We recognize them as the traditional stewards of this land, and we honor their enduring relationship with it. We also recognize the painful history of genocide and forced removal from this land—and that colonization is an ongoing process and that their lands are still occupied. We believe that the land must be returned to the nations that previously had sovereignty over it. As we benefit from this land now, we seek to give back to it as well.

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Why a land acknowledgment?

Public recognition of this land's history validates and celebrates the people and cultures that came before colonizers and continue to exist despite colonization and genocide. We acknowledge this history to cultivate respect for and advocate with our Indigenous communities still connected to this land. We refuse to be part of suppressing or forgetting the genocidal history of so-called "America."

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How we intend to give back to the land we benefit from

A land acknowledgment is simply a first step, and colonization is not limited to the land. Without concrete action, a land acknowledgment does no good.

 

As part of our antiracist action plan, Under the Umbrella seeks to give back to the land we benefit from and support local Indigenous communities. Here are some ways we commit to doing this:

• Always compensate Indigenous individuals for their physical and emotional labor.

• Host an annual fundraiser for local Indigenous organizations.

• Work with an Indigenous artist to create a physical land acknowledgement in the store. (If you are an Indigenous artist interested in working with us, please email hello @ undertheumbrellabookstore.com)

• Highlight Indigenous authors throughout the year, including with bookmarks that identify authors as Indigenous.

• Donate 5% of sales from our staff picks each month to Carry the Water Garden, an Indigenous healing garden in Salt Lake City.

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