Land Acknowledgement

Knowing the origins of the land we utilize is important so that we do not disregard centuries of indigenous history. Through understanding this history, we learn about the atrocities of colonization and exploitation that we cannot ignore. It is essential to recognize the past so that we can educate ourselves and appreciate the sacredness of our land. The first inhabitants of the island of Manhattan were the Lenape tribe, who utilized the land for farming and called it Manahatta. When the Dutch colonized the city in the 17th century, they named it New Amsterdam. They settled a village in northern Manhattan called Harlem, named for their own city, Haarlem. Our East Harlem neighborhood derives its name from this origin. As a Park East High School community, we commit to teach and learn the history of the land our school occupies.