Arts/Outreach/Indigenous

Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group

Decolonize Thanksgiving:  National Day of Mourning

***Please use the below text as an email to be sent out to OB lists and related contacts.  Please help spread this.***

The time of the US Thanksgiving holiday has various meanings for different people.  For some it marks the beginning of the consumer holiday season.  For many, it represents an opportunity to gorge oneself to the point of sickness.  Some may take time to share a moment of gratitude and reflection with their family and friends.  For others, however, this day serves as a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native People.

On November 24th this year, a group from Occupy/Decolonize Boston in Dewey Square will travel together to Cole's Hill, which sits above Plymouth Rock, to join in solidarity with the United America Indians of New England (UAINE) and other participants in the 42nd National Day of Mourning. 

What: National Day of Mourning
Where: Cole's Hill, Plymouth, MA
When: November 24th, 2011, 12:00 noon (sharp) - 5:00 pm (rides leaving Dewey Square at 10 am!)

Please RSVP to offer/ask for a ride by filling out this form http://bit.ly/sPfSse or by filling out the sign-up sheet at the Info Desk in Dewey Square.  

We also have a facebook event to help spread the word.

Contact decolonizeboston@gmail.com with any questions or to help.  More details below.

From the UAINE event flier:
"Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US thanksgiving holiday.  Many Native Americans and their allies do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers.  Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture.  Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today.  It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression that Native Americans continue to experience." 
 

The Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group of Occupy/Decolonize Boston is organizing rides and inviting all from the movement to participate in the event on November 24th.  Community members and friends will stand in solidarity, with humility and respect, as we listen to the Native speakers on this "solemn, spiritual and highly political day."

Details and an "orientation" on the National Day of Mourning event can be found on the UAINE website (uaine.org).  Of particular note: "Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after Day of Mourning so that participants in DOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in political action. Over the years, participants in Day of Mourning have buried Plymouth Rock a number of times, boarded the Mayflower replica, and placed ku klux klan sheets on the statue of William Bradford, etc."  There will be a march during the event.

In response to the Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples which was passed by the Occupy Boston General Assembly on October 8th, 2011, and subsequently adopted, in various forms, by several other Occupations, the UAINE declared their support of the Occupy/Decolonize movement and made the following invitation: 

"We invite all involved in Occupy/Decolonize Boston to attend the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts on November 24 at 12 noon. Every year since 1970, Native people and our supporters have come together to refute the mythology of the Pilgrims and declare the US thanksgiving holiday a National Day of Mourning for Native Americans. On that day, we mourn our ancestors. We speak about our history and about current conditions in Indian Country. We express our solidarity with our undocumented sisters and brothers who are under attack and with others in struggle, from Haiti to Palestine. And we demand freedom for Native political prisoner Leonard Peltier. We stand with you now. Come stand with us on November 24."' 

- UAINE Statement of Support for Occupy/Decolonize Boston, 10/13/2011

We at the Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group invite others from the Occupy/Decolonize community to join with us to stand with UAINE on November 24th.  Please RSVP to offer/ask for a ride by filling out this form http://bit.ly/sPfSse or by filling out the sign-up sheet at the Info Desk in Dewey Square.   You may also join the facebook event. (http://on.fb.me/seo1ba)  Rides will be departing from the Dewey Square area at 10 am on November 24th, and returning after the event (after 5p, at least).  Please RSVP to assure seating.

For the healing of all people and of Mother Earth,

The Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group

Occupy/Decolonize Boston

About the Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group:

The Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group consists of Native and non-Native allies from the Occupy/Decolonize Boston community who are working to incorporate more Native voices into the movement, and to help connect the dots on root-cause issues foundational to the Occupy/Decolonize movement.   “To dismantle corporate greed and imagine a different world we must make connections between the histories of colonialism, genocide, capitalism, human trafficking, globalization, racism, imperialism, ecocide, patriarchy and so much more.” (#decolonizewallstreet flier).  The Working Group meets on Fridays at 5p in South Station (food court mezzanine level) and seeks more input from the public and greater collaboration with other Working Groups on these and related efforts. Please see the wiki page for the most up-to-date information.

What: National Day of Mourning
Where: Coles Hill, Plymouth, MA
When: November 24th, 2011, 12:00 (sharp) - 5:00 pm Buses/cars leaving Dewey Square at 10 am.

Please RSVP to offer/ask for a ride by filling out this form http://bit.ly/sPfSse or by filling out the sign-up sheet at the Info Desk in Dewey Square.   We also have a facebook event to help spread the word.

Occupy/Decolonize Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group

Contact decolonizeboston[at]gmail.com with any questions or to help

http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Indigenous_Solidarity_and_Outreach

Indigenous Solidarity and Outreach Working Group meets Fridays at 5p in South Station, food court mezzanine.  All are welcome!

Follow us on Twitter!:  @DecolonizeBos  use #decolonize

group email contact:  decolonizeboston@gmail.com

Occupy Boston - Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
The following resolution was passed by the Occupy Boston General Assembly on October 8th, 2011:

RESOLUTION: Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Boston” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial country, and that we are guests upon stolen indigenous land that has already been occupied for centuries, Boston being the ancestral land of the Massachusett people; and

WHEREAS, members of the First Nations have continued to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of the colonizers since they first arrived on this continent, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen this movement; and

WHEREAS, after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of the First Nations in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land; and

As a signal to the national “Occupy” movement and to members of First Nations who have felt excluded by the colonialist language used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Boston” aspires to “Decolonize Boston” with the guidance and participation of First Nations Peoples; and

Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, we hereby invite members of the First Nations to join us in this popular uprising now taking place across this continent. We wish to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help us restore true freedom and democracy and initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land; and

We hereby declare that Columbus Day should be referred to as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

13 October, 2011
Statement of Support for Occupy/Decolonize Boston from United American Indians of New England

United American Indians of New England (UAINE) supports Occupy/Decolonize Boston and the Occupy/Decolonize Wall Street movement generally.

We are deeply moved and encouraged that Occupy/Decolonize Boston, as one of its very first actions, issued a memorandum in solidarity with Indigenous peoples. This country and its immense wealth were founded on the genocide of Native peoples, the theft of our lands and resources, and the enslavement and forced labor of our African sisters and brothers. We have been the victims of corporate greed for centuries. If you seek to reimagine a new society free of corporate greed, then we would ask that you learn all you can about the past that has carried us to this place.

The Occupy Wall Street movement is still forming and evolving. We call upon veteran activists to embrace and nurture this important new development, which is like a precious seedling. We all have much to learn from each other. We welcome this convergence of youth and students, People of Color, poor and working people — whether office workers, unemployed people, low wage workers or trade union members —, homeless people, LGBTQ people, disabled people, veterans, immigrants, and people from many other sectors of society. We are all coming together in shared spaces, to share our anger and despair at current political and economic conditions, to plan direct actions, to learn from and understand one another. Together, we can forge a new movement that will sweep away all of the corporate special interests that devastate all living creatures and threaten to destroy our beautiful planet.

We fully support the right of the Occupy/Decolonize Boston encampment to expand from Dewey Square to other parks and open spaces in the city, without the necessity of permits and without fear of police reprisals.

We invite all involved in Occupy/Decolonize Boston to attend the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts on November 24 at 12 noon. Every year since 1970, Native people and our supporters have come together to refute the mythology of the Pilgrims and declare the US thanksgiving holiday a National Day of Mourning for Native Americans. On that day, we mourn our ancestors. We speak about our history and about current conditions in Indian Country. We express our solidarity with our undocumented sisters and brothers who are under attack and with others in struggle, from Haiti to Palestine. And we demand freedom for Native political prisoner Leonard Peltier. We stand with you now. Come stand with us on November 24.

End war and racism! Honor Native treaties! Stop the destruction of our Earth!

The Occupy Movement and Ancient Prophecies

Charles Laster, a Native American of Cherokee descent, noted the following in an open letter on facebook:

I was in full support of the Occupy Movement, for a number of reasons. Some of which was that their goals were in harmony with my views as a Native American of Cherokee descent. When I read the following Resolution by the Occupy Boston group, I was deeply touched and moved.

What was profound for me was how this action and the worldwide Occupy Movement meshed with the prophecies found in many Native Tribes.

Listen to these excerpts of their words.

RESOLVED, That we seek the involvement of the First Nations in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral land... with the guidance and participation of First Nations Peoples.
... [We] implore Indigenous Peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit... [and] initiate a new era of peace and cooperation... including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land.

They know they have lost the way. That the killing of the Earth and its peoples must stop.

More importantly, they know that we the Native people of the Earth have the wisdom to guide them.

Has this ever happened before, has anyone ever said this to us!

When I look upon the crowds at Occupy protests, I see all races and people of the earth in all their diversity, a rainbow of races and people from all walks of life around the globe.

The worldwide Occupy movement reminds me of a number of Native American Prophecies.
http://www.welcomehome.org/rainbow/prophecy/prophecies.html

Listen to what our elders said of these times.

http://www.chi-manidoo.com/7fires.html http://www.chi-manidoo.com/7fires.html
From the 7 fires prophecy of the Anishinabe.

"The Seventh Prophet that came to the people long ago was said to be different from the other prophets. He was young and had a strange light in his eyes. He said, " In the time of the Seventh Fire, New People will emerge. They will retrace their steps to find what was left by the trail. Their steps will take them to the elders who they will ask to guide them on their journey. But many of the elders will have fallen asleep. They will awaken to this new time with nothing to offer. Some of the elders will be silent out of fear. Some of the elders will be silent because no one will ask anything of them. The New People will have to be careful in how they approach the elders. The task of the New People will not be easy."

If the New People will remain strong in their Quest, the Water Drum of the Midewiwin Lodge will again sound its voice. There will be a Rebirth of the Anishinabe Nation and a rekindling of old flames. The Sacred Fire will again be lit.

"It is at this time that the Light Skinned race will be given a choice between two roads. If they choose the right road, then the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth and final Fire, an eternal Fire of peace, love, brotherhood and sisterhood. If the light skinned race makes the wrong choice of roads, the destruction which they brought with them in coming to this country will come back at them and cause much suffering and death to all the Earth's people.

http://www.manataka.org/page235.html http://www.manataka.org/page235.html
The prophecies about the Rainbow Warriors are varied, but there is a general theme. A new tribe of many races, that will unite with the native people at a turning point in history to save the Earth and each other. This is that turning point in history!

http://www.dreamscape.com/morgana/rhea.htm
The Mohawk Prophecy of the 7th Generation and the Two Serpents Prophecy of Deganawidah both speak of those who would turn to the Native People for leadership and guidance, joining us.

http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/hopi.html http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/hopi.html
The Hopi also have prophecy for this.
It shows we will have a choice, if the material path is followed, as represented by the top horizontal line in the rock drawing, the result is a very jagged line that will result in destruction. If the lower spiritual path is followed, the result will be peace and harmony.

It is not just Native American Tribes that see this in prophecy, the Tibetan Buddhists have a similar prophecy, and the Dali Lama has spoken with Hopi Elders about this. There are more such prophecies from tribes and people around the world, I can not list them all.

Now is the time, the White Buffalo has been born. Will we let its promise die?
http://www.nativevillage.org/Inspiration-/white_buffalo%20a%20living%20prophecy.htm

It is not just the light skinned man that must make a choice. The words of our ancestors show we must also choose!

Will we grasp the hands extended from around the world and complete the Great Hoop? Shall we give them the wisdom and knowledge of our ancestors they seek?

Or will we in fear and anger not join the hoop? Let prejudice and spite withhold our council from them?

The Earth filled with the blood and bones of our ancestors cry out to us, the words they spoke long ago ring in our ears today, stand or die, we must choose.

Are we content to sit around the fire and tell stories of our suffering while moaning how things will never change?

The Earth calls out to her children around the world. The words of our ancestors call out to us. Those that have answered call out to us. I raise my voice to the Creator, I pray for the strength for what I know is to come, I pray that all will hear and answer the call.

We can not sit by and let the Earth and her children die a slow death in the name of profit!

We must stand together, one great hoop around the world.

Awesome articles you should read (related to Decolonize Wall Street):

Racialicous: Decolonization and Occupy Wall Street
Racialicous: Occupy Wall Street: The Game of Colonialism (Jessica Yee's article)
John Paul Montano: An Open Letter to the Occupy Wall Street Protesters
Unsettling America: Decolonize Wall Street
Tequila Sovereign: Manna-hata (Info about the Lenape history of Manhattan)
Indian Country Today: Indians Counter Occupy Wall Street Movement with Decolonize Wall Street
Indian Country Today: Why I'm Occupying Wall Street
Press TV: Indigenizing Occupy Wall Street (about Occupy Denver)
Occupy Denver: An Indigenous Platform for Occupy Denver (AIM's 10 Points)