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Visiting a national park? Here’s how you can pay homage to the tribal land it’s on
Desert gold flowers bloom on Earth Day 2024 in Death Valley National Park
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Mario Tama
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
Land acknowledgments have become increasingly common to recognize the ancestral grounds of Native tribes. Now, if you’re visiting a national park this summer, there’s a way to pay your respects — literally.
What is it? It’s a fund that allows travelers to send a monetary donation to the tribes whose lands they’re visiting. It's being run by the Lakota People’s Law Project. The Sacred Defense National Parks and Monuments Initiative is their new effort to “recenter Indigenous voices” while you explore the outdoors. Currently, 14 national parks are taking part.
How does it work? You can choose which park you're visiting on their website. And if your spot isn’t listed, they suggest picking the park closest to you. The Lakota People’s Law Project expects to grow the initiative until all national parks are included.
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Where can I do this? In California, your spots will be Yosemite and Death Valley, but the initiative also covers popular places like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
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