November marks National Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity for us to consciously commemorate the profound history of Native Americans, their rich cultures, and the innumerable contributions they have made to our broader society.
The initiative to establish a national month of recognition began in the early 1900s, with the first “American Indian Day” proclaimed by New York State Governor Charles S. Whitman in 1916. New York was the first state to proclaim a day of recognition for Native Americans, and it was actually recognized on the second Saturday in the month of May.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush endorsed a joint Congressional resolution, officially designating November as "National American Indian Heritage Month."
SUNY Cobleskill Land Acknowledgement Statement
We acknowledge that SUNY Cobleskill, located in Schoharie County, New York, resides
on the ancestral territory of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka
(Mohawk people).
We recognize and honor the enduring presence and resilience of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy
and the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka, who have been stewards of this land for more than a millennium.
We extend our gratitude for their contributions and commitment to the land, culture,
and history of this region.
We acknowledge the ongoing struggle in the pursuit of justice and the importance of
honoring the sovereignty, ancestral lands, and treaty rights of the Haudenosaunee
Confederacy and the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka. We commit ourselves to fostering respectful relationships
and promoting understanding, collaboration, and reconciliation between Indigenous
and non-Indigenous peoples. May our collective efforts be fortified through mutual
respect, cooperation, and dignity.
Our DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Campus Climate Survey is now
LIVE!
This year’s survey will be emailed to your campus email address and administered by
Viewfinder, a nationally known vendor. If you cannot find the email inviting you to
take part in the survey, check your “Other” folder or use the Search Bar to search for "Viewfinder."
The goal of this survey is to collect your thoughts and experiences from the perspective of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the campus community. Your contributions will play an instrumental role in further shaping our campus in a profoundly positive way.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging stand at the forefront of how we define ourselves and how others perceive us beyond our community. A “One Coby” is a strong Coby - steeped in dignity, respect, campus pride, care, civility, and appreciation for its diverse community and guests.
Together, we can realize “One Coby,” and together, we can bring about sustainable
change in our community.
Thank you.
Creating a Welcoming and Supportive Community
SUNY Cobleskill is committed to creating a community of practice that fosters the exchange of ideas in a respectful and non-threatening way, and creates better understanding, awareness, and opportunities to learn from each other.
We reject bigotry, hateful speech, oppression, harassment, bullying, and all forms of injustice.
We believe in the inherent dignity of each person. We value fairness, civility, and kindness. We listen to, encourage, and support each other. We seek to instill in our faculty, staff and students a lifelong appreciation for the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion so that we can create a better world.
Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Matters:
SUNY Cobleskill Strategic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan 2017-2022
Are you interested in becoming a part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council?