We acknowledge that we are gathering in St. Louis, Missouri, on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Ni Okaska (Osage), Niúachi (Missouria), Illiniwek (Illinois Confederacy), and other Indigenous peoples who have stewarded this land for generations. What we call St. Louis was a geography shared by many Indigenous peoples. The region was a major urban center between the 11th and 14th centuries—today referred to as Cahokia. It then became a territory shared by many tribes, serving as a place of trade, travel, and cultural exchange among Native Nations.
We honor the resilience, knowledge, and enduring presence of Indigenous communities, including those forcibly removed from this region and those who continue to call this area home. We also acknowledge the deep connections Indigenous peoples have to the birds, landscapes, and ecosystems we seek to understand and conserve. As we come together to advance ornithology and conservation, we commit to learning from and working alongside Indigenous communities, respecting their sovereignty, and supporting their efforts to protect lands, waters, and biodiversity. We invite all attendees to reflect on the histories of the lands we walk upon and to consider how we can contribute to a more inclusive and just future in conservation and beyond.
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