Land Statement
Stardust Sanctuary Land Acknowledgment and Commitment to Equity
Land acquisition, a process deeply intertwined with colonialism, autonomy, and power, is far from neutral. The history of such acquisitions, even in present times, is marred with violent acts of land displacement. Settlers and settlerism have uprooted people from their ancestral homelands and profited from their labor. The mere thought of purchasing land in the United States may evoke a sense of having achieved the 'American Dream.'
Stardust understands the complex local and global power dynamics in acquiring the land needed for this dream. We are not Indigenous to mishigami. Gabriel’s ancestors came over in the first English settler wave and surely participated in moral crimes against Indigenous Peoples.
Our Commitment to Avoiding Colonial Harm
Our stance on 'land ownership' is to openly recognize our racial and economic privileges. We acknowledge that we will derive financial and spiritual benefits from this land. However, we also understand that we are merely temporary stewards and are committed to avoiding colonial harm to the best of our abilities.
Establishing Relationships with Local Indigenous Communities: We will begin by identifying and reaching out to the local Indigenous nations wherever we plan to acquire land for Stardust and to build relationships based on trust and mutual understanding. We will approach these conversations with humility, recognizing the historical trauma and harm caused by colonization.
Our commitment to collaborative decision-making is a testament to our respect for Indigenous leadership. We pledge to work hand in hand with local Indigenous leaders in a transparent manner. All major decisions affecting the land and resources will be made in consultation with them, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
Indigenous Leadership in Programming and Development: Indigenous leaders will be invited to co-create programming that reflects their traditions and knowledge systems. This includes workshops on traditional ecological practices, sustainable agriculture, and spiritual practices rooted in Indigenous wisdom. We also aim to hire Indigenous educators and leaders to facilitate these programs, ensuring they are paid fairly and treated as equal partners.
Land Stewardship Practices: We will incorporate Indigenous ecological knowledge into our land management and agricultural practices. This includes using sustainable, regenerative farming methods aligned with traditional stewardship principles. We will also dedicate a portion of our land to preserving and restoring native plants and wildlife, as identified by Indigenous leaders.
Revenue Sharing and Economic Collaboration: Stardust Sanctuary commits to providing monthly economic reparations to local Indigenous communities as part of our acknowledgment of the ongoing economic and cultural harm caused by colonization. A portion of the Sanctuary's revenue will be allocated to reparations, and we will work with Indigenous leaders to ensure these funds are distributed in a way that supports community needs, whether through education, health, land preservation, or other vital services. This will be a long-term commitment that evolves with the community’s input.
Legal and Policy Advocacy: We will use our platform to advocate for policies that support Indigenous sovereignty, land rights, and cultural preservation. This includes participating in local advocacy efforts that uplift Indigenous voices and supporting legal initiatives that return land to Indigenous stewardship.
Ongoing Accountability: We will establish a community advisory board that includes local Indigenous leaders to ensure ongoing accountability and dialogue. This board will review our practices, provide feedback, and help guide future development to ensure that Stardust Sanctuary remains a space of healing, respect, and equity.