Transparency & Impact

We respectfully acknowledge the land upon which the GEO’s office sits in Washington, DC are the unceded ancestral lands of the Piscataway and Nacotchtank (Anacostan). The Piscataway people have lived for thousands of years in Chesapeake Bay’s Western Bank. Their language belongs to the Algonquin language family, with their community’s name meaning “the People where the waters blend.” For centuries, these communities have lived, worked, and thrived on this land. Their rich history and cultural heritage continue to shape this region. We honor and pay respect to the Elders, past and present, and future leaders, extending our gratitude for their stewardship of this land. We recognize the importance of honoring the past and working towards a more equitable future. We recognize the people who resided here and that the spirit of their people permeates the soil forming present day Washington, D.C.

Today there are two recognized tribes of the Piscataway People; the Piscataway Conoy Tribe and Piscataway Indian Nation, who were granted Maryland State Recognition on January 9^th, 2012. Continuing a half century movement, the Piscataway Conoy are still seeking federal recognition and acknowledgment for being land stewards to the National Government and Greater Region. The Piscataway Conoy Tribe are progressively trying to tackle the generational issues of colonialism that are related to housing, hunger, health, education, and cultural erasure, while also advocating for long-term community investments. GEO has played a vital role in supporting Indigenous scholars, programs and support the Piscataway Conoy’s efforts to reclaim (purchase and develop) land by contributing 1% of membership revenue to Through Piscataway Eyes™ (TPE), Inc., the tribally designated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the immediate needs of the Piscataway Conoy People.

This land acknowledgment alone is not enough. It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed action. We recognize the broken promises, treaties, and the harm inflicted on the first peoples of this land, and all the Indigenous peoples of the United States.  We invite you to learn more about the history and culture of the Piscataway Conoy and Nacotchtank (Anacostan) communities as well as Through Piscataway Eyes™ (TPE), Inc. Established to combat hunger, homelessness, and other inadequate resources within the community, TPE mobilizes efforts to provide essential support while being committed to preserving the rich culture and history of the Piscataway People for future generations.

We have included resources below, including information about the local tribes. We encourage you to visit the National Museum of the American Indian in person in Washington, D.C., or virtually, to learn more about this hemisphere’s Native communities and their richness, depth and diversity.

Resources

• Piscataway Conoy Tribe: https://www.piscatawaytribe.org/
• Through Piscataway Eyes: https://www.ThroughPiscatawayEyes.org/
• National Museum of the American Indian: https://americanindian.si.edu/
• Land Grant Universities and Indigenous Peoples: https://www.landgrabu.org/
• Native Land Digital: https://native-land.ca/