Chicago Maritime Museum’s Land Acknowledgement

The Chicago Maritime Museum is committed to celebrating American Indigenous People through a better understanding of tribal history and the United States' government policies that directly affected these populations.

First, we acknowledge that this land on the South Branch of the Chicago River resides within the traditional homelands of Indigenous nations including:

• Hoocąk (Winnebago/Ho’Chunk), Jiwere (Otoe), Nutachi (Missouria), and Baxoje (Iowas)
• Meshkwahkîha (Meskwaki)
• Asâkîwaki (Sauk)
• Myaamiaki (Miami), Waayaahtanwaki (Wea), and Peeyankihšiaki (Piankashaw)
• Inoka (Illini Confederacy)
• Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), Odawak (Odawa), and Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi)

Not only do we recognize the Native American presence on the land where our facility is located, but as a maritime history museum we also celebrate the important contribution to the growth and culture of Chicago through Indigenous People's respect for local waterways.

Long before Europeans colonized the Americas, this land's earlier inhabitants also understood the importance of the local waterways for trade and transportation. The museum honors the canoe’s use in the communities of these Indigenous nations, linking us forever with the past, while working collaboratively to build a common future.

Maritime traditions are intimately tied to Indigenous Peoples around the world who designed, built, and paddled the first canoes and kayaks. The canoe encompasses indigenous cultural memory – strengthening connections to traditions and community.