Land Acknowledgment of the Ho-Chunk Nation

Rising Above the Darkness, LLC occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land, a territory that the Ho-Chunk Nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial. An 1832 treaty forced the Ho-Chunk to cede this land, leading to decades of ethnic cleansing as both federal and state governments attempted, but ultimately failed, to forcibly remove the Ho-Chunk people from Wisconsin.

I acknowledge the circumstances that led to the forced removal of the Ho-Chunk Nation and honor their legacy of resistance and resilience. This history of colonization deeply informs my work and vision for a collaborative future. I recognize and respect the inherent sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation and the other 11 Native Nations within Wisconsin's borders, as well as the larger context of Indigenous rights.

I commit to continuously educating myself about the history and current endeavors of the Ho-Chunk Nation. I am grateful to live on their ancestral land and honor their rich cultural history. I promise to support the wellbeing of the Ho-Chunk people and Indigenous communities near and far.