It's Important Not to Miss the Underlying Message of the Indigenous People's March
On January 18, People For the American Way attended the Indigenous Peoples’ March in Washington, D.C. Representatives from native communities around the world and allied organizations gathered together to celebrate indigenous cultures and protest the injustices that many still face. A major theme of the march centered on the political climate in the United States and frustration over the government’s treatment of native communities, even in modern times.
The march began in front of the Interior Department, home to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Leaders took turns speaking, many using this time to bless the march, pray in honor of their heritage, or share the history of their specific community. A particularly emotional moment came when two members of the Taíno tribe sang a song of gratitude to their ancestors and encouraged the crowd to embrace the “fire” they feel inside and be proud that they are passionately defending a culture that many have tried to stamp out.
Some speakers spoke about the social and environmental issues they continue to be disproportionately affected by. The Keystone pipeline in particular is still a fresh wound for many. Speakers also focused on the many missing and murdered indigenous women, who are disappearing at a disproportionately higher rate. Many attendees shared personal anecdotes to underscore these tragedies.
http://www.pfaw.org/blog-posts/its-important-not-to-miss-the-underlying-message-of-the-indigenous-peoples-march/
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