We acknowledge that the lands on which we gather – The National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma, Stillwater, and the surrounding region – are the occupied, unceded territory of the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Wazhazhe Manzhan (Osage), and Wichita Peoples. We acknowledge that Kappa Kappa Psi owes its existence and success to generations from across the globe, who gave their hopes, dreams, and energy in guiding us to this moment in our history. Some were brought here against their will, others left their distant homes in hope of a better future, and some have lived on this land since time immemorial. In the pursuit of reconciliation, acknowledging the truth of our histories’ intersections is critical, and will ultimately determine our path forward. We begin this effort by recognizing the connections between ourselves and the land. The National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma resides today on the ancestral lands of the Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Wazhazhe Manzhan (Osage), and Wichita Peoples — the original stewards of what is now Stillwater and was once the heart of the Peoples aforementioned. The foundation of our organization came at a direct cost to the Indigenous peoples, whose land and labor this headquarters was built upon. Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma acknowledges these truths as crucial for building and fostering mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. Please take a moment to pay respects to elders past and present, and the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that brought us together here today.
