It’s our nature to nurture.

At Escuela del Sol Montessori, we acknowledge that all of us are living on stolen and occupied indigenous land. Our school is located closest to the Pueblos of Sandia, Santa Ana, and Isleta. These tribes all speak Tiwa, a Pueblo language, so we say we are living on Tiwa Territory to honor the language spoken which is intimately linked to the land. We honor the 19 Pueblos, Navajo Nation and two Apache Nations that also call New Mexico home. These tribal communities are the original stewards of the land and watersheds. Prior to the onslaught of Settler Colonialism, there were hundreds of tribes living on the land we now refer to as New Mexico, as well as many vibrant ecosystems and a watershed that nourished the river valley. It is with the humility and consciousness of this shared history that we acknowledge the wealth that land represents, the wealth that its theft conferred on the occupiers, and the many repercussions that linger for the indigenous peoples from whom it was taken and the benefits for those who have colonized—and recolonized—this land and its water.

*This acknowledgement was written collaboratively by the Jr High students of Escuela del Sol Montessori in consultation with folks at Keres Children's Learning Center.