The month of April has been designated as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Awareness Month by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and is embraced by Irvine Valley College as part of our commitment to cultivating an inclusive campus culture that reflects the lived experiences of our diverse community. As part of this commitment, we will once again host our annual DEIA Day—an opportunity to learn about human experiences beyond our own, connect in community, and reflect on how we aspire to grow and evolve in support of one another.
This year’s DEIA Day theme invites us to move beyond acknowledgment and toward meaningful engagement with the Indigenous peoples whose histories, cultures, and stewardship shape the land we occupy. “Honoring Indigenous Voices: Culture, Wisdom and Community” invites us to recognize the richness and diversity of Indigenous knowledge systems, celebrate the resilience and creativity of Native communities, and reflect on our shared responsibility to uphold their sovereignty and stories.
The IVC Land Acknowledgement serves as an expression of gratitude and a way to honor the Indigenous peoples who have lived and worked on this land since time immemorial. It encourages us to understand the long-standing history that brought us to reside on this land and to consider our place within that history. Land acknowledgements invite faculty, staff, administrators, and students to affirm the original Nations and Tribes on whose land we work, learn, and live. While the creation of our land acknowledgement aligns with our institutional values and efforts, it is important to recognize that a land acknowledgement alone is not enough.
For several years, it has been my hope to establish reciprocal relationships with local and regional Tribal communities and to commit to actions that include consultation, collaboration, and engagement with Tribal representatives. At this Friday’s DEIA Day, you will join in ceremony, dialogue, storytelling, and hands-on learning that deepen our understanding of the historical and present-day realities of local Tribes and invite us to consider how we can move forward together in more respectful and reciprocal partnerships.
I encourage you to participate in DEIA Day, where you will have the opportunity to learn from Tribal elders and representatives, recognize their contributions, and engage in dialogue, action, and advocacy that help strengthen a more equitable and inclusive environment across our entire campus community.
Best,
John