Living Land Acknowledgement
New Scupltures Bring to Life Kumeyaay Stewardship History, Living Land Acknowlegement
by Rafael Avitabile
[published in the Spring 2025 issue of News for Aztec Parents]
The Living Land Acknowledgment sculpture series at San Diego State University brings to life the university’s Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgment, which is traditionally recited at convocation, commencement and other major university events.
This formal statement recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as traditional stewards of the land the university now occupies. Stuart Voytilla, faculty lead of the SDSU Story Lab, said the sculpture project is a way to bring the words of the Land Acknowledgment to life in the physical and virtual spaces, while bringing Native artwork to more prominent places at SDSU.
San Diego State University's newest sculpture is helping to launch a new era of the university’s Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgment, with its glowing aluminum and bronze acting as a beacon for the acknowledgment in both physical and virtual forms.
San Diego State University formally introduced the “Living Land Acknowledgment” sculpture series to the campus community Friday, Sept. 27 with a gathering and unveiling of the series’ third sculpture, “Return of the Kumeyaay Creator.”
