Many of us will gather with friends and family today and take time to reflect on, and be grateful for, all that we have. As we celebrate abundance, love and joy, we must also remember the original stewards of this land, how they interacted with the environment and the tragic and violent manner in which they were removed. At Billion Oyster Project, we are dedicated to tackling tough conversations and amplifying the history and voices of our country's indigenous peoples.
This Thanksgiving, we are highlighting the history of the original stewards of New York Harbor by publishing Billion Oyster Project's first Land Acknowledgement of the people of the Lenape tribe, and sharing resources that our team has found helpful.
In 2021, we were honored to be included in Mohawk artist Alan Michelson's multimedia installation at MoMA PS1, which examined the Lenape People's nurturing connection to the land and water and the life they support. In a New York Times article about the exhibit, Michelson argued that the work of Billion Oyster Project "would not have been necessary under Lenape stewardship." This notion sticks with us today, and inspires us to propel our mission forward by looking back at the nature-based practices that supported oysters — New York Harbor's keystone species — prior to the violent displacement of native people from the abundant land that became New York City.
The team at Billion Oyster Project acknowledges that there is a great deal we do not know about the history of New York Harbor and the original stewards of this land. We have just begun the process of researching, building connections, and improving this document in an effort to stay true to the values of Lenape peoples. The Land Acknowledgement above is just the beginning of the work we aim to do in the coming year.
A thriving reef cluster, building habitat for generations
