Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that Project Lemonade’s work in the Portland metro area takes place on the ancestral homelands of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Watlala Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other Indigenous nations, tribes, and bands who have stewarded these lands for generations. Today, Portland's urban Native community is descended from more than 380 tribes. Our statewide services reach youth living across Oregon, which is home to nine federally recognized tribes. We honor their legacy, resilience, and ongoing efforts to protect and reclaim their traditional lands.

We recognize that Indigenous communities in Oregon, including Native children and families, have been deeply impacted by a history of colonization, systemic inequities, and forced displacement. This includes the forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their lands, as well as the separation of Native children from their families through government policies, boarding schools, and the child welfare system. For Native youth in foster care, these harms are compounded by disconnection from their culture, family, and community. Our organization is committed to supporting these youth in ways that respect their identity and heritage, and creating spaces where their voices are uplifted and their needs are met with dignity and respect.

While this acknowledgment is an important step in recognizing the continued presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples, it is also a reminder that much more work is needed. We are committed to supporting the broader efforts of Indigenous communities for justice, sovereignty, and healing. We stand in solidarity with these efforts and strive to build relationships based on respect, accountability, and reciprocity.

To learn more about the Indigenous communities in Oregon, we encourage you to explore local resources and support initiatives led by Native organizations including the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA), the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) and the Native Wellness Institute. Together, we can work toward a future that honors the past, acknowledges the present, and commits to a more just and equitable future for all.

*Land Acknowledgement created in collaboration with Lukas Soto.

Adopted by Project Lemonade. Last revised March 2025.