Beyond Land Acknowledgement: Toward a Gayogohó:nǫˀ-controlled land base at Cornell’s Arnot Teaching and Research Forest
By Audrey Baker
Full paper download at bottom of page
This white paper was developed through a Cornell Society for the Humanities seminar called Disturbing Settlement, taught by Amiel Bize, in Fall 2023. The ideas presented came from conversations with Christa Nunez, Michelle Seneca, and Jay Smith, of Quarter Acre for the People and the Gayogohó:nǫˀ Learning Project. The white paper was then sent to Cornell University leadership on January 11, 2024 (including President Martha Pollack, Provost Michael Kotlikoff, Deputy Provost Avery August, Vice Provost Katherine McComas, Dean Benjamin Houlton, Dr. Richard Stedman, Vice President Joel Malina, and the Office of General Counsel on behalf of the Office of the Board of Trustees). On February 5, 2024, Vice Provost for Engagement and Land-Grant Affairs Dr. Katherin McComas replied with the following message: “Dear Audrey, Thank you for sharing this proposal with us. We appreciate your sharing your perspective. Best regards, Katherine.” Audrey Baker’s reply included: “I hope you and your team will consider it. In that case, reaching out to Michelle Seneca, Stephen Henhawk, and Christa Nunez to arrange further discussions would be an appropriate next step.”
To date, there has been no further communication nor action steps from Vice Provost McComas or other university leadership. The original paper included a “not-a-white paper” commentary, in conversation with the formal white paper for administrators; To request a copy of this additional piece, please email Audrey Baker at azb4@cornell.edu.