In 2009, the US government offered a congressional apology to Native peoples. Because of how quietly this apology was delivered, many people are unaware that it even occurred. In response to the apology, Oglala Lakota author Layli Long Soldier published WHEREAS, a collection of poems confronting the US’s history of brutality against Native peoples. The CCC Common Read’s theme for 2020-2022 is American Tensions, which emphasizes cultivating dialogue around difficult topics. In light of Long Soldier’s response to the US apology, this event will engage participants in discussion about the significance of genuine apologies in connection with the practice of land acknowledgments.
