Land Acknowledgement

Land Acknowledgment of the Waší∙šiw Homelands

The Town of Truckee acknowledges that we live and work upon the homelands of the Waší∙šiw (“the people from here”), who have resided in, stewarded, and shaped these lands for at least 15,000 years. Truckee lies within Waší∙šiw ɁitdéɁ, where generations of Waší∙šiw cultivated, studied, and cared for the lands and waters, not only as hunters and gatherers, but as biologists, botanists, astronomers, hydrologists, and knowledge keepers whose practices sustained balance and abundance.  

The Waší∙šiw today are represented by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, a sovereign nation that continues to protect and advocate for their homelands. Despite centuries of colonization, forced removal, mining, logging, and extractive practices that altered these places, the Waší∙šiw persist in stewardship, cultural revitalization, and assertion of sovereignty. We acknowledge that these harms are not only historical but continue in global systems today.  

We honor the Waší∙šiw as the original and enduring stewards of this region and affirm our commitment to strengthening our government-to-government relationship with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. This includes moving beyond consultation to embrace shared leadership, particularly in areas such as land use, climate and environmental stewardship, and cultural recognition. The Town is committed to identifying ways to appropriately compensate the Washoe Tribe for sharing their knowledge and expertise, recognizing the value of their cultural teachings, scientific practices, and lived experience.  

As residents, workers, and visitors in these homelands, we invite all to move beyond reflection toward action, learning the history, supporting Tribal initiatives, and practicing reciprocity with the land and waters.  

This acknowledgment is not an ending, but an opening toward deeper accountability, shared leadership, and enduring stewardship with the Waší∙šiw people.