This webpage is intended to be a living document where we articulate our commitment to learning the history of Indigenous People in this area and how our current stewardship of this land might honor their legacy.

Located in what is now known as St. Louis County, Missouri, Tyson Research Center operates at the intersection of research and education in the ecological and environmental sciences, sustainability, and environmentalism.

Before Tyson, this land was stewarded by Indigenous people since time immemorial. However, “land ownership” was not a concept before colonization. Therefore, many peoples have called this region home across time and even at the same time for different reasons. Despite the differences in how and when they came to call St. Louis home, many Native Nations have claim to this land. Although we may never know the full extent of people whose ancestral lands include Tyson, we will take time to acknowledge those we do know.

𐓏𐒰𐓓𐒰𐓓𐒷 𐒼𐓂𐓊𐒻 𐓆𐒻𐒿𐒷 𐓀𐒰^𐓓𐒰^ or Wazhazhe

The Wazhazhe (WAH-zhah-zhay), also known as the Osage people.

Kaahkaahkia

The Illini or Illiniwek Confederacy, notably the Kaahkaahkia, also known as the Kaskaskia (cas-cas-kee-uh) people.

Kiikaapoi

The Kiikaapoi (key-kah-pú), also known as the Kickapoo people.

Očhéthi Šakówiŋ

The Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (oh-CHEH-tee shaw-KOH-we), also known as the Sioux people.

Niúachi/Niutachi

The Niúachi or Niutachi (noo-TAH-chi), also known as the Missouria people.

Despite the differences in cultures, languages, and ties to this land between each of these groups, they all suffered genocide by war, disease, and cultural destruction through colonization, and all were forcibly removed from this land.

We make this acknowledgment because Tyson is committed to becoming an anti-racist environmental field station and making science more diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive. It is vital to acknowledge the ongoing history of colonization and white supremacy upon which this station is built to begin the work of healing, reconciliation, and justice. We start with calling these Native Nations by the names they call themselves rather than names forced upon them, by uplifting their voices and contributions to science, and by centering them in planning the future.

Acknowledging the Indigenous history of this land is just a starting point to giving witness to the lives of these people and their impact upon this region. We call for the entire Tyson community to work together as we learn and grow, and hold ourselves accountable to this mission.

We appreciate the guidance and leadership of the Buder Center in helping WashU reckon with this history

Washington University in St. Louis occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Osage Nation, Otoe-Missouria, Illinois Confederacy, Quapaw, Ho-Chunk, Miami and many other tribes as the custodians of the land where we reside, occupy, and call home.

We recognize their sovereignty was never ceded after unjust removal and encourage your own research on tribal removal, tribal sovereignty and the history of the land you reside.

We promote the inclusion of tribal history and the incorporation of contemporary thoughts and actions into your work.

In offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm and support Tribal sovereignty, history and experiences by elders past, present, and seven generations yet to come through their continued connection to this land.