We gratefully, and humbly acknowledge the Native Peoples on whose Ancestral Homelands we gather, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native Communities who make their home here today.

The Ritz Theater, home of Theater Latté Da, sits on the Ancestral Homelands of many First Nations Tribes, including most recently the Dakota, and the Anishinabe People.

On October 18, 2021 we marked a moment in our learning and our relationship building through a ceremony at the Ritz Theater. I wish this moment had come sooner, much sooner. But we are moving forward with intention: with open hearts and humble minds.

I am grateful for those who have led us to today. We have been working with Christal Moose and Native Arts Collaborative and are incredibly grateful for their guidance and partnership. A special thank you to Larry Yazzie, for his flute and dancing that day, and for being a vital force in our arts community every day. And thank you to Curtis West who supported the day’s blessing.

We look to a continued relationship and space sharing with Native Pride Productions. We are commissioning a Native visual artist to create a work-of-art to mark this commitment and land acknowledgement that will be placed on site here at the Ritz Theater. We are continuing our learning around both the contributions and the barriers to participation for Native Artists in our communities.

For many generations, Native Americans lived, worked, created art, and shared stories on this land for which they are the caretakers. It is my prayer that we, also storytellers, take equal care.

Thank you.
Peter Rothstein

Larry Yazzie, Founder and Artistic Director at Native Pride Arts, led Theater Latte Da’s Land Acknowledgement with performance and a blessing. To learn more about Native Pride Arts, click here.