Maybe a few people have noticed but a number of local government meetings now begin with a “Land Acknowledgment Statement.”

In my native state of Idaho, the town in which I lived was adjacent to the Blackfoot “Tribe.” My father was good friends of the “tribal chief” and a number of “Indians” attended my elementary, junior and high schools.

Over the years, as I’ve become more “enlightened,” I’ve grown to abhor using words like “Native American” or “Indian” to describe indigenous people. I now prefer the Canadian term “First Nation.” Thus, it would be the Blackfoot Nation, Cherokee Nation, or, locally, the Patwin and Wintun nations.

I’m using this as a prelude to the “Land Acknowledgement Statement,” which started being read at the beginning of City Council, Board of Education, and Board of Supervisors meetings sometime back. It’s a sign that everyone can evolve beyond petty prejudice.

I have no issue with the statement, but now, with efforts by President Donald Trump and the MAGA faithful to erase diversity, equity, and inclusion ideals from our lexicon, it may only be a matter of time before that statement is eliminated.

As read before public meetings, the statement goes: “The (insert agency here) acknowledges the land on which we live and work. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The Patwin people have remained committed to the stewardship of this land over many centuries. It has been cherished and protected, as elders have instructed the young through generations. We are honored and grateful to be here today on their traditional lands.”

I even heard a version of this during the recent YMCA unveiling of its new infant center.

Here’s the issue. Under President Trump’s Jan. 20 order to eliminate DEI action plans, “The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, assisted by the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the Federal Government, under whatever name they appear.”

I’ll skip much of the order because it’s very long and convoluted, but there are sections of it which imply the federal government will not provide funding for or do business with those agencies promoting DEI. As stated, funding could be cut to “Federal contractors who have provided DEI training or DEI training materials to agency or department employees; and Federal grantees who received Federal funding to provide or advance DEI, DEIA, or ‘environmental justice’ programs, services, or activities since Jan. 20, 2021.”

Literally, this could mean the end of federal funds to every other city across the United States if cities, counties, or school districts promote or practice DEI.

But it could also mean the end of recognition for the Patwin and Wintun nations because that “statement” is one symbolizing diversity, equity and inclusion of a culture that has historically been marginalized or dismissed by “White America.”

Losing federal funding would be bad. Minimizing our respect for the people who first arrived on this continent would be worse.

Jim Smith is the former editor of The Daily Democrat, retiring in 2021 after a 27-year career at the paper.