Some stories are written in books. Others are written on the land.

Look closely at the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s new Land Acknowledgement artwork and you’ll find a story unfolding in every detail. A hummingbird and a bat. Wild berries and medicinal plants. Leaves, flowers and flowing patterns inspired by Indigenous artistic traditions. Together, they create a visual reminder that the lands protected today have long been places of learning, nourishment, ceremony and connection.

The artwork was created by Indigenous artist, educator and storyteller Negwes White, whose roots include Ojibwe, Navajo and Indigenous Mexican heritage. For White, the design began with a simple but powerful idea.

“The whole piece is about balance,” White says. “Nature takes care of everybody, but she also protects herself.”

That philosophy is woven throughout the artwork. The hummingbird and bat represent day and night. Native berries reflect foods that have sustained Indigenous communities throughout the region for generations. Medicinal plants illustrate traditional ecological knowledge that continues to be shared and practiced today. White says the reaction from his community was immediate.

“When they looked at it, they said, ‘You got medicine in there.’ They understood it right away,” he says.

The project was especially meaningful because of White’s longstanding relationship with the Forest Preserves. Over the years, he has participated in camps, cultural events, powwows and educational programs held throughout the preserves, helping young people explore while deepening their connection to nature. Today, he works as an educator and remains passionate about teaching amongst the trees.

“This is where all the lessons are,” White says. “This is where all the teachings and wisdom are.” Created for the Forest Preserves’ Land Acknowledgement, the artwork honors the Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands across generations. At the same time, it serves as a living reminder that Indigenous cultures, traditions and relationships with the natural world remain vibrant, present and deeply connected to this place.

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