Thu Sep 26 14:00:00 UTC 2024: ## From Ownership to Stewardship: Reclaiming Our Relationship with the Land

**Mount Owen, a 1,500-foot peak in the Northeastern U.S., embodies a complex story of land ownership, ecological responsibility, and the legacy of colonialism.** The land, traditionally home to the Nipmuc Tribal Nation for over 12,000 years, is now owned by a couple seeking to transition from the concept of ownership to that of stewardship. This shift, however, is not without its challenges.

**The article explores the harmful implications of “settler ecologies,”** a term coined by Irus Braverman, author of *Settling Nature*, to describe how nature conservation can be used to justify dispossession and land grabs. Braverman uses the example of Israel, where native olive trees representing Palestinian identity are often uprooted to make way for pine trees, symbolizing Jewish settlement expansion.

**The article highlights the importance of recognizing the inherent rights of the land and its original stewards.** Àdhamh Ó Brion, a friend and colleague dedicated to decolonizing Gaelic culture, emphasizes that authentic advocacy for the land requires a deep connection to it.

**The article also addresses the problematic classification of species as “native” and “non-native,”** arguing that such labels can be misleading and harmful. Layla K. Feghali, author of *The Land in Our Bones*, emphasizes the importance of foraging as a cultural connection to the land, highlighting how criminalizing foraging can sever this vital connection.

**The article concludes by advocating for a reciprocal stewardship framework** that honors the rights of the land and its original stewards, while also acknowledging the role of humans as part of the ecosystem. It emphasizes the need to cultivate an emotional connection to the land to ensure its protection and the well-being of all its inhabitants.

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