Land Acknowledgement

Graziani Multimedia acknowledges that our company is based in Cleveland, Ohio, on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Mississauga, Erie, and Kaskaskia peoples. These Nations have lived in relationship with this land for generations, long before colonization forcibly displaced them.

The land we occupy today was taken through a series of treaties throughout the 1700s & 1800s that forced Indigenous people to relinquish vast territories in what is now the Cleveland area of Ohio. These treaties were part of a broader system of land dispossession that aimed to erase Indigenous presence, culture, and sovereignty.

We recognize the painful history of removal, erasure, and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous communities. However, acknowledgement alone is not enough. We commit to learning from and supporting Indigenous voices, businesses, and organizations. We encourage all people to engage with Indigenous-led initiatives and deepen their understanding of the land where they live and work. 

The Mississauga People

The Mississauga are a sub-group of the Ojibwe Nation Anishinaabe Nation that originally inhabited the Great Lakes region. The Ojibwe are a part of the greater Anishinaabe peoples. The Mississauga people are known for their deep connection to the land and waterways. Colonization and treaties led to the forced displacement of many Mississauga communities, pushing them northward into what is now Ontario, Canada. Today, the Mississauga people continue to maintain their cultural heritage and advocate for Indigenous rights and land stewardship.

The Erie People

The Erie were an Iroquoian-speaking group that once lived along the southern shores of Lake Erie. The Erie Nation was known for its agricultural skills, complex social structures, and trade networks. Many Erie people were displaced in the 1600s, with survivors being adopted into other Iroquoian Nations. Even though the Erie people no longer exist as a Nation, their descendants live on within other Indigenous communities.

The Kaskaskia People

The Kaskaskia were part of the Illinois Confederation, a group of Algonquian-speaking Nations that lived throughout the Midwest. They were known for their strong trading networks and diplomatic relationships. The Kaskaskia suffered from disease, warfare, and land loss due to colonization. By the late 1700s, their numbers had significantly dwindled, and many were forcibly relocated to reservations in what is now Kansas and Oklahoma. Despite these challenges, the Kaskaskia people continue to preserve their culture and heritage as part of the Peoria Nation.

To discover the Indigenous Nations that lived on your land, visit https://native-land.ca.

To learn about the Missing & Murdered Indigenous People crisis and what you can do to help, click here.