Native American Heritage
Day
by: Staff Reports / Indian Country
Today
the universe and only a few shaman
retained the ability to speak with the
animals.We thank the Creator for all
our relatives, for what is good in the
world, and for all our harvest, not just
one crop, but all.
WASHINGTON - The House of
Representatives unanimously passed
legislation Nov. 13, introduced
by Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., that
encourages the designation of
the Friday after Thanksgiving as
Native American Heritage Day.
The Native American Heritage Day
bill, H.J. Res. 62, encourages the
establishment of a day to pay tribute
to American Indians for their many
contributions to the United States.
We give thanks for the strawberry, it
is the first berry of the new spring, we
give thanks to the tree spirit, for the
warmth it provides in our fires and the
saps that flow in the fall, we honor
the animal spirit, who laid down its
life in order for the people to go on.
Subsequently we give thanks for each
harvest year round. It is said, when
the Creator created the Universe, “He
placed his hand on the Whole thing...
so everything is spiritual.” He never
told us to separate anything... but
to look upon everything that he has
made us as holy and sacred and act
accordingly with respect.
encourage greater awareness of
the significant role they have
played in America’s history.’’
The Native American Heritage
Day bill is currently supported by
184 federally recognized Indian
tribes throughout the nation. The
bill has also gained wide support
in the House of Representatives,
including co-sponsorship from the
chairman of the Native American
Caucus, Rep. Dale Kildee.
Baca has been an active member
of the Native American Caucus
in the House of Representatives
since first coming to Congress in
1999.
What Is Thanksgiving?
by Thomas A. Ferguson
http://www.indigenouspeople.net/
thanksgi.htm
What do you think of, when asked
about Thanksgiving? We learned from
he wisdom of our elders to thank the
Creator for; Mother Earth... Father
Sky... Grandfather Moon... our Uncles
the Four Winds... our Cousins the
Stars, and... our Brothers and Sisters
the animals. The Algonquians believed
that humans were not distinct from or
superior to nature, but rather part of
nature. We also believe that animals
could take human form. Moreover, we
believed that a long time ago, humans
and animals spoke the same language.
Then there was a cataclysm that upset
The Thanksgiving the greater society
celebrates, occurs during a beautiful
time of the year; thus, Thanksgiving
time means, as Joyce Sequichie
Hifler so eloquently writes,... the first
hard freeze, the first spitting ice to
rattle the dry autumn leaves. Early
morning frost crystallizes grasses in
rods of light. The last bit of bright
color is gone from the woods... thus;
a time of great solitude and for giving
thanks for all the gifts provided for
us by the Creator, especially for our
families health and well being.
Thanksgiving traditionally denotes
a harmonious time in the cycle of
seasons; further examination of
the times suggest otherwise. For
Algonquians, the beheading of King
Philip, son of Chief Massasoit, and
the sale of the Wampanoags into
slavery has a different connotation
then being harmonious.During the
time of the Puritans; every Church,
every Synagogue, and every Quaker
Meeting House was built on money
generated from Indian slavery.
(Professor Robert Venables)Not many
of our young understand thetrue
history behind this most sacred
Continued on Page 7
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Riverside, CA.
Permit No. 131
Winners of the 1K Kid’s Fun
Run, part of the 2nd Annual Spirit
of the Tribes 5K Run/Walk.
Native American Student Programs 114
University of California at Riverside
224 Costo Hall
900 University Avenue
Riverside, California 92521
‘’This bill will help to preserve
the history and legacy of Native
Americans,’’ Baca added. ‘’Native
Americans and their ancestors
have played a critical role in the
formation of our nation. They have
fought
with valor and died in every
American war dating back to
the Revolutionary War. We must
Above: (from left to right) Cinthya
Gonzales, Joshua Gonzales, Billy
Mills, Jose Chavez, Beyaja Notah,
William Madrigal, and Jesus
Cardenas. Members of NASA pose
with Billy Mills after a lecture he gave
on“Global unity through diversity.”
www.nasp.ucr.edu
‘’Native Americans have enriched
American culture throughout their
proud history,’’ Baca said. ‘’It
is important that we recognize
these contributions and ensure all
Americans are properly educated
on the heritage and achievements
of Native Americans. For years,
I have fought to ensure Native
Americans receive the recognition
they deserve, and today, I am proud
the House has passed this vital bill.’’
The Native American Heritage
Day bill encourages Americans
of all backgrounds to observe
the Friday after Thanksgiving as
Native American Heritage Day,
through appropriate ceremonies and
activities. It also encourages public
elementary and secondary schools
to enhance student understanding
of American Indians by providing
classroom instruction focusing on
their history, achievements and
contributions.
From the desk of the Director
To All My Relations:
I would like to welcome you, although
a little late to the Fall Quarter 2007
and hope the quarter had been, so far,
a successful one.
Great things are happening this year
and the furue looks even brighter.
The Native American Student
Programs (NASP) started this year
with a new office. We are now located
in 229 Costo Hall two doors down
from our previous location. The new
location is four feet square bigger
thatn our lasat office and even has a
sink. We are so gratefull!
The 2007 Summer Residential
Program: Gathering of the Tribes was
again a great success and students
went away with some idea aout
what college was life entails and
what it means to pbtain a degree.
They were given the opportunity to
acquire skills necessary to succeed in
college. They were also encourged to
help other Natives in a professional
capacity. The students were also
provided with fun activities, such
as Beach Day and they attended the
Southern Californa Indian Pow Wow.
Sports activities were included in the
program as well. The program staff
did an excellent job of tending to
participants. I extend congratulations
and thanks to the because without
their help the program would not be
a success. We hope to do the 2008
Summer Residential Program again
this summer. The intention of the
program is to prepare Native students
to enter UCR or any other college. We
reach out to middle school students to
encourage then to be aware of the A-G
requirements. The A-G requirements
are classes to be taken from the 9th
grade to the 12th grade in order to be
eligible for college admission. We
encourage them to strive for a high
grade point average and participate
in school activities. We tryto prepare
them in every way, but still only a
hand full of our Indian children enter
college. Parents must take an interest
in their children by providing then
with a healthy environment at home.
Give them enough food th eat, provide
study time, and give them ample time
to play. Most importantly parents need
to show their children how much they
are loved. Onlt if they know that hoem
is a peaceful place with much love
will they accelerate in their learning;
therby developing into fine individuals
and good citizens of the reservation
and entire country. A strong family
unit is the secret behind a string and
healthy individual. The family unit
was one of the most important facets
of the Indian culture and I think we
have lost that important part of life.
US society is breaking apart our
families becuase of alcohol and drug
abuse. Now it’s meth, which is even
more deadly than alcohol and other
drugs that is tearing our youth apart.
A large percent of our youth have
Page 2
fallen victim to meth problems. It is
the responsibility of all of us to protect
our future leaders.
This 5K Run/Walk was a success
as well. Joshua Gonzales, NASP
Program Assistant did a fantastic
job in planning, organizing, and
implementing the event. A run/ walk
is a good way to bring the UCR and
larger communtiy together to do fun
things. It brings people together for a
common cause. Two individuals came
all the way from Santa Barbara, CA to
participate and we established a good
relationship. Hopefully we will work
together in the future.
Indian Time’s radio progrma is
running on its own thaks two Paul
Miranda, John Smith, Robert Perez,
Chris Ynostroza, and others who
maintain the program. I encourage
you to listen to the incredible and
fabulous program, which is also very
humorous.
I encourage all students to participate
in NASA. The group is planning some
great activities for the winter and
Spring quarters. Becoming especially
involved in the Medicine ways
conference and pow wow, which will
take place on May 23-24, 2008. The
members have their meetings every
Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in 229 Costo
Hall. In addition I would like to meet
with each Native student at UCR at
least once a month to see how you are
doing.
Peace,
Earl Dean Sisto, Director
Are you an
American Indian
UCR Alumni?
Membership is available to any
American Indian and Alaskan
Native person who has graduated
from the University of Riverside,
California, or is a former student
that has completed at least 12
quarter units before leaving
the University of Riverside,
California.
Associate Membership is
available to any person who
supports the purposes and goals
of the organization.
Contact us
American Indian Alumni
Association
Email: [email protected]
(AIAA General mailing)
Email: [email protected] (AIAA
Board members)
Website: www.ai-aa.org
University of California
American Indian Counselors/Recruiters Association
Berkeley
Campus Representatives
Bridget Wilson
Native American Community Relations
Office of the Undergraduate Admission
110 Sproul Hall, #5800
Berkeley, CA 94720
Phone:(510) 643-7902
Fax: (510) 642-7333
[email protected]
Ruth Hopper
Undergraduate Advisor
Native American Studies
506 Barrows Hall, #2570
Berkeley, CA 94720
Phone:(510) 642-6613
Fax: (510) 642-6456
[email protected]
Davis
Jacquelyn Ross, Assistant Director
Native American Outreach, Undergraduate
Admission &Outreach Services
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8507
Phone: (530) 752-3743
FAX: (530) 752-1280
[email protected]
Michelle Villegas-Frazier, Outreach
Officer, School of Medicine
MedSci 1C, 129
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Phone: (530) 752-8387
FAX: (530) 754-6252
[email protected]
Irvine
Nikishna Polequaptewa, Director
American Indian Resource Program
University of California, Irvine
5171 California Ave. Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92679-2505
Phone: (949) 824-6251
Fax: (949) 824-8219
[email protected]
Los Angeles
Dwight Youpee, SAO
American Indian Studies Center, UCLA
3220 Campbell Hall, Box 951548
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1548
Phone: (310) 206-7511
Fax: (310) 206-7060
[email protected]
Merced
Ruth Rodriguez
Student Affairs Officer/Transfer
University of California, Merced
Admissions & Relations with Schools &
Colleges
550 E. Shaw Suite 105
Fresno, California 93710
[email protected]
Riverside
Earl Dean Sisto, Director
Native American Student Programs, UCR
229 Costo Hall
Riverside, CA 92521
Phone: (951) 827-4143
Fax: (951) 827-4342
[email protected]
Fall Quarter 2007
San Diego
Geneva Lofton-Fitzsimmons
American Indian Coordinator
Early Academic Outreach
Student Center Complex B
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0305
Phone: (760) 749-1410 Ext.5278
Fax: (760) 749-1564
Cell: (858) 775-7072
gfi[email protected]
Alternate Adress for:
Geneva Lofton-Fitzsimmons
Student Program Coordinator
California Native American Research for
Health (CA-NARCH)
P.O. Box 406
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
San Francisco
VACANT
Santa Barbara
Cuca Acosta, Admissions Counselor
Office of Admissions, UCSB
1234 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2016
Phone: (805) 893-2307
FAX: (805) 893-8779
[email protected]
Santa Cruz
Vickie Unruh, Senior Evaluator
Hahn Student Services
UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-4191
[email protected]
Dennis Tibbetts, Director
Native American Resource Center
Ethnic Studies Center, UCSC
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone:(831) 459-2881
Fax: (831) 459-4409
[email protected]
Los Almos National Laboratory
Barbara Tenorio Grimes
American Indian Education &
Employment Outreach Specialist
P.O. Box 1663
Mail Stop P366
Los Alamos, NM 87545
Office Phone: (505) 665-5121
Toll Free Phone:(888) 691-6057
Fax: (505) 667-7530
Cellular: (505) 699-0653
[email protected]
UC Office of the President
Ramona Wilson, Director
MESA Schools Program
300 Lakeside Drive 7th Floor
Oakland,CA 94612-3550
Phone:(510) 987-0221
Fax: (510) 763-4704
[email protected]
WEBSITE: www. ucaicra.org
Volume 17, #1
A Big
Thank You !!!
Goes To All Our Supporters
of the
2007
Summer Residential Program:
“Gathering of the Tribes”
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians,
Morongo Band of Mission Indians,
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians,
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians,
Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians,
The Gathering of the Tribes Summer Residential Program was very successful this past summer!!! Many of
the participants enjoyed a week full of various recreational and educational activities. Throughout the program
the participants realized how important it is to continue their education and strive toward a good career to
provide for their families, become a good citizen, and give back to their community. Many of the participants
were very shy in the beginning of the program, but as the week came to an end, these participants opened up
and became self-confident. Each tribe is credited for contributing to this wonderful summer program. The
contributions support the future of our American Indian youth.
Volume 17, #1
Fall Quarter 2007
Page 3
Activities
The youngest member of NASA, Oceloyaotl
Gonzales sings with his rattle.
Mountain Hawk drummers open up for the
“Unity in R Comunity” Festival.
5K runners and walkers search for their
names and rankings.
Billy Mills speaking to UCR students
about his life and the importance of unity
through diversity.
NASA members Beyaja and Cinthya pose with
the winner of the womens overall runner in the
5K.
Left-Right: Darren Henson, Matt Moreno
Billy Mills after winning the
gold in the 10,000 meter run.
Many went on to call it “the
greatest upset in Olympic
history.” To this day he is still
the 10,000 meter record holder.
Page 4
Micheal Madrigal and Earl Sisto open the
5k with a blessing and Bird Songs.
Winners of the childrens 1/2K showing
off their medals and trophies.
Left: Sadie sits
with her Grandpa
Earl as he sings
at the UCR Unity
in R Community
Festival.
Fall Quarter 2007
Both Darren and Matt are very experienced
drummers and have sang at many pow
wows.
Right: Chris
Ynostroza is a UCR
Alumnus and often
visits to drum and
have a good laugh
Volume 17, #1
Activities
One member of the winning team,
“Dream Team” gets ready to cross
the finish line. “All the Way!”
Members of the Women’s UC Riverside
Cross Country Team pose with Billy Mills.
It was an honor for them to finally meet
Billy in person.
1st Place Overall Female Walker,
Yolanda Leon-Polequaptewa and her
partner (her baby girl), Nahui pose after
recieving her medals.
Volume 17, #1
Members of the UC Riverside Cross country team
pose with Billy Mills. They were very excited to
meet an idol of theirs.
Future Olympic Runner!!!!
One of the youngest runners of the
2nd Annual Spirit of the Tribes 5K
Run/Walk who inspired many people.
1st Place Team: Dream Team
(Left-Right) Rene Garcia, Victor Delgado, Javier
Sanchez, Gary Stroup, Jessie Garcia
2nd PlaceTeam: Corre Caminos
(Left-Right) Ed Barker, Paloma Hernandez, Sussan
Ortega, Eddie Barker, Al Gonzales
Fall Quarter 2007
Alfonso Gonzales participates in the weekly
drum sessions at the NASP office and is an
experienced drummer. He has drummed
with many well known drum groups in the
pow wow circuit.
Matt Moreno is a UCR Alumnus of ‘94 and
is the head singer for the Mountain Hawk
drum group. He formed Mountain Hawk
during his years as an undergraduate of
UCR. He was also the first Homecoming
King in ‘94 for UC Riverside. Today he is a
successful teacher teaching Biology at Bell
High School.
Page 5
Thank You
To All Our Sponsors of the
Spirit of the Tribes 5K Run/Walk
November 17, 2007
Viejas Band of Kumyaay Indians
Pauma Band of Mission Indians
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
California Center for Native Nations
The Spirit of the Tribes 5K Run/Walk is an annual event for the community to come together, have
fun, network, and stay healthy. Running is the oldest tradition of the Indigenous people on this
continent. Through running, your spirit grows stronger and you maintain fitness. Thanks again to
all the sponsors and participants for supporting The Spirit of the Tribes 5K Run/Walk.
Page 6
Fall Quarter 2007
Volume 17, #1
What is Thanksgiving?
Continued from Front Page
celebration.Traditionally the many
indigenous cultures that inhabited
North America gave thanks to the
Creator, not once a year, but after
every harvest, be it agriculture or
game. These celebrations would last
for several days.
One such celebration happened at
Pawtuxet, alias New Plymouth, now
known as Plymouth Rock, in August
of 1621. It is this celebration that
many of us were taught to picture as
the “First Thanksgiving.” This view
is based on the mythological concept
and approach Western minds have
when dealing with the various Native
Populations.There are interesting
events leading up to what is termed
“Thanksgiving.” What is being
celebrated in the USA and Canada
is based on a mythological concept
that must be addressed.To create an
example of this myth, I decided to do
some research. I asked middle school,
and university students: what comes
to your mind, when I ask you about
Thanksgiving? Most then gladly
answered, in sort of the same fashion:
“Some Pilgrims, who arrived at
Plymouth, were fed by some Indians,”
and most of these students had the
opinion that the Pilgrims were very
religious and both the Native and the
Pilgrim lived in harmony.
The myth is perpetuated and evolves
from the lack of understanding the
true history - ninety-nine percent of
North America’s history is before
contact.August 11, 1620, a cold, and
windy night, the Mayflower forced
to anchor in the Bay of Paomet,
alias Cape Cod. The Pilgrims were
traveling to Jamestown, Virginia. As
their precursor, Columbus, they too
were lost. Running low on supplies,
they anchored in the Bay of Cape
Cod. On August 15, 1620, religious
leaders such as William Bradford and
Edward Winslow following a guide
book published in Europe by Richard
Hakluyt titled Virginia Richly Valued,
lead these God-fearing Pilgrims to
raid graves. (Mourt’s Relation 1622)
In the midst of this sacrilegious
act they were discovered by the
Nausets, the local indigenous band of
Algonquians who subsequently chased
the Pilgrims off the Cape. This is
when the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.
The Algonquian band of Wampanoags,
openly welcomed the Pilgrims, taught
them how to farm thus, providing
them with food and saving them
from starvation. The first Native
American to encounter the Pilgrims
was Samoset, who was a Sagamore or
chief of a distant band of Algonquians
- the Morattiggons, he was on an
extended fishing trip visiting the
Wampanoags, when he boldly walked
into the Pilgrims camp saluting them
in English, bidding them welcome.
The Englishman noted, that on Friday
February 16, 1621, that Samoset
Volume 17, #1
by himself entered boldly into their
camp saying “hello Englishman,” and
bidding them welcome. They also
noted “he was a man of free speech,
as far as he could express his mind.”
Samoset spent that first night with
the Pilgrims describing to them the
whole Country side, and of every
Province, and of every Sagamore, and
their number of men, and strengths.
Samoset stayed the night, leaving the
Pilgrims the next morning.
Samoset returned, March 22,
1621, with Squanto, who is most
popularized by American schools.
He was the only surviving native of
the Pawtuxet, known to the Pilgrims
as New Plymouth. Squanto had just
returned from London (he was one of
the first twenty captives sold by Hunt,
a Master of a ship, who then sold them
to Master Slanie who took them to
Cornehill, England) and found, upon
his return, that his people who had
inhabited Pawtuxet had succumbed to
an extraordinary plague. (this is the
same village the Pilgrims are calling
New Plymouth)
It was Squanto who taught the
Pilgrims how to plant corn, and to
fertilize earthen mounds with fish
i.e., herrings or shads. The following
fall, after hunting fowl, the Pilgrims
harvested 20 acres of corn, six acres
of barley and peas all according to the
manner of the Algonquin agriculturist,
they invited the Sachem Woosamaquin
otherwise known as Chief Massasoit,
(the Wampanoags chief who first
welcomed the Pilgrims to share
the land) to celebrate their harvest.
Accepting, Chief Massasoit brought
five deer, and ninety of his men with
him to the feast.
So now we can sort of figure what was
feasted on at the “First Thanksgiving:”
a bird, corn, peas, roasted venison, and
beer.This feast lasted five days and
was celebrated as a treaty, which was
supposed to benefit both Algonquians
and Pilgrims. Whether Massasoit
would have welcomed, let alone
enter into an agreement with these
Pilgrims had he known that the past
August when the Mayflower crew
were lost, hungry, and cold, they had
blasphemously raided Indian graves
in search for corn - to eat, and the
personal artifacts of the dead - to
reduce their enormous debt, no one
will ever know.
But within a generation of that treaty,
the children of the Pilgrims who were
at the first Thanksgiving, children
not even born at the time of the feast,
beheaded King Philip, son of Chief
Massasoit. They placed his head on a
pole and left it in the fort for 25 years,
as in a celebration.These children of
the “First Thanksgiving,” then sold the
Wampanoag’s and other Algonquin
bands of people, without whom their
parents would have almost certainly
starved to death, into slavery in the
Mediterranean and the West Indies.
The events over the years leading up
to this betrayal paint a clearer picture
INDIAN TIME
Radio Program on
KUCR, 88.3 FM
Every Thursday
5:30pm-6:30pm
american
indian
*MUSIC*
*NEWS*
*INTERVIEWS*
*DISCUSSIONS*
hosts:
John Smith
Paul Miranda
Robert Perez
of how this turn of events could
of happened.Chief Massasoit had
fathered two girls and three boys, and
before his death he asked the General
Court in Plymouth to give English
names to his two sons. The Pilgrims
subsequently named the former
“Alexander” and the latter “Philip.”
After Alexander died, probably of
poisoning, Philip became chief, and
became known as “King Philip.”
According to Josephy, (The Patriot
Chiefs, 1976)
King Philip was as racially proud as
an Indian ever was. He saw clearly
what the colonists were doing to
his people, and from the beginning
recognized them as enemies who
would have to be stopped. Despite the
friendship between Massasoit and the
colonial authorities, and although, he
was out numbered two to one, King
Philip went to war.
The interracial friction that resulted
in this conflict had actually begun
to spread years before his father’s
death. This was mostly because of
trespassing issues, in which the natives
had no such laws or understanding of
such laws. Anger, mixed with anxiety,
lead to an explosive situation. Anxiety
with the continuing and regularly
numbers of Englishmen who were
arriving more and more often and who
were providing material attractions
that lured natives to them. Anger that
Christianity was undermining the
authority of the chiefs, and dividing
the people.Time and again the Indians
patriotic attempts to maintain life
Fall Quarter 2007
and freedom were undermined and
defeated by ancient animosities
between the various tribes who were
forced to deal with new European
influence. The whites readily
recognized the hostilities that existed
among the various tribes they met,
and from the beginning were quick to
use these native rivalries, jealousies,
enmities, and ambitions to their own
advantage.
They followed the “divide and
conquer” policy and played ancient
foes against one another for the benefit
of themselves. This attitude, stemmed
in part from the Aristotelian theory
that some persons were by nature
meant to be masters and others slaves,
it combined with the divide and
conquer tactics that worked so well
for Columbus in the Caribbean and
in Mexico for Cortes. Both of these
pitting native against native.
It is no wonder these divide and
conquer tactics worked so well, with
King Philip’s War, in the treachery
committed by the traitor Alderman.
To the God-fearing Puritans of
New England, Philip was a satanic
agent, “a hellhound, fiend, serpent,
caitiff, and dog.” Somehow, in their
panic and wrath, they conceived of
him as a rebel, leading a conspiracy
and an uprising against established
authority. It was as if invading Indians
had landed on the coast of England
and had then considered rebels and
Englishmen who might have risen to
throw them out. On August 12, 1676,
the English, guided by Alderman
who surrounded King Philip, and
Annawon, Philip’s war chief, while
they slept. In the morning Philip was
shot by Alderman, a traitor against his
people.
We also learn from reading Josephy
that when it was discovered that it was
indeed Philip who was assassinated,
the English broke into a cheer and
exultantly decapitated and quartered
the sachem’s body and carried his
head back to Plymouth, where in
celebration, it was stuck on a pole
and remained on public display for
twenty-five years. These are the
actions of the people who considered
themselves to be “civilized,” and the
Native American to be “Savages.”In
the end, my question: (what comes
to your mind, when I ask about
Thanksgiving?) turns out not to be so
simple especially when one takes a
closer look at the true history of this
holiday which we are celebrating.
What we should consider is that
the Thanksgiving Celebration
can actually be divided into three
distinct celebrations; (1) traditional
celebrations of thanksgiving to the
Creator by the indigenous population,
(2) the thanksgiving celebrated
between Massasoit, the Algonquin
Chief of the Wampanoags, and the
thankful pilgrims for the knowledge
received by the natives; and, (3) the
beheading of King Philip and the
selling into slavery the offsprings of
the natives of the first thanksgiving.
Page 7
Youth summit addresses
climate change
by: Julie Stricker
© Indian Country Today
November 19, 2007. All Rights
Reserved
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - More
than 5,000 students attended
Power Shift 2007 Nov. 2 - 5,
the largest youth summit on
climate change. A number of
indigenous youth attended the
conference as keynote speakers,
panelists, student activist leaders
and participants. Young people
spoke in a congressional hearing
before the Select Committee on
Energy Independence and Global
Warming, and met with senators
and representatives from their
respective states.
The summit was organized by the
Energy Action Coalition, a group
of more than 40 organizations that
work together toward a ‘’clean
energy’’ future.
Evon Peter, a former chief of the
Neetsaii Gwich’in, was a keynote
speaker. Peter has advocated
indigenous and environmental
rights to the United Nations and
the Arctic Council forum and is
currently the executive director of
Native Movement (www.native
movement.org), which focuses
on ‘’grass-roots awareness,
advocacy, action and values’’ in
both Alaska and Southwest Native
communities.
‘’As indigenous people, we are
not environmentalists, not in the
Western sense,’’ Peter began.
‘’For our people, we have an
understanding of human beings
within creation. As Western
environmentalists, they look at
ecosystems as sustainable because
of the biodiversity within them,
void of human presence. As
indigenous peoples, we know that
we are a part of the ecosystem.
‘’Unfortunately, many of our
people have adopted a Western
thinking [that is] unsustainable
and unhealthy. We need a great
healing with an understanding and
practicing of our spirituality. ...
The way we’ve related to the Earth
and disrespected those spirits has
consequences. ... We have brought
this time upon ourselves,’’ he said.
‘’This crisis extends beyond fossil
fuels, climate change and overfishing. Our generation will have
to face this - it is inescapable.
There are already clear signs
of traditional people suffering
- suicides in youth, abuse and
neglect.’’
According to Peter, youth have
‘’already faced the impacts of
colonization. We’ve felt it on an
emotional and spiritual level. We
carry and push it onto each other.
... Now is the time to take action
and leave something healthy for
the seventh generation.’’
‘’If we don’t spend this time
with elders, in ceremony, prayer
and with our language, we won’t
have those things to carry on. ...
We have a lot of work, praying,
listening and actions to do. A
healing within each one of us needs
to take place,’’ he said.
The summit ended with a day of
lobbying members of Congress
on Capitol Hill, addressing global
warming, climate change and
related local community concerns.
‘’Power Shift 2007 was an
uplifting experience that reignited
my desire to get involved in
the struggle for environmental
stability,’’ said Kelly Hubbell,
Navajo participant from Window
Rock, in a press release. ‘’It was
inspiring to see thousands of
people gathered for a common
cause. It was especially uplifting
to hear from amazing leaders who
have been advocating for years,
yet have not backed down from
their beliefs. Overall, Power Shift
was an educational and motivating
experience that I feel honored to
have been involved in.’’
INDIAN TIMES
Calendar of Events
December 1st & 2nd, 2007
Saturday December 15, 2007
Celebration of Basketry and Native 28th Annual Communtiy Christmas
Pow Wow
Foods Festval
Eagle Rock Recreation Center
Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural
1100 Eagle Vista Dr.
Center and Museum
Eagle Rock, Ca
Topawa, Arizona
December 7th-9th, 2007
11th Annual Winter Gathering
Pow Wow
(360) 303-8804
www.spotlight29.net
Saturday December 15, 2007
American Indian Community
Traditional Winter Gathering
United Methodist Church Hall
4650 Mansfield Ave.
San Diego, CA 92116
December 31, 2007-Jan, 1, 2008
New Years Eve Pow Wow
(408) 226-5213
December 28th-January 6th 2008
Thunder in the Desert
(520) 622-4900
www.usindianinfo.org
Friday, January 4th, 2008
The Lela Arenas-Madrigal
Memorial Lecture
“First Voices, Musical Traditions
of Southern California Indians”
(951)827-1973
Friday, February 1, 2008
American Indian Counselors
Conference
University of California, Riverside
(951) 827-4143
Randy Folkes dances at our 26th
Annual Medicine Ways Pow Wow
held last year. Our 27th Annual
Medicine Ways Conference & Pow
Wow will take place May 23 & 24
2008.
March 8th & 9th, 2008
Cal State Lomg Beach
38th Annual Pow Wow
(562)985-8528
[email protected]
May 23 & 24, 2008
27th Annual
Medicine Ways Conference and
Pow Wow
(951) 827-4143
www.nasp.ucr.edu
E-mail: [email protected]
May 3rd-4th, 2008
23rd Annual California Indian
Market, Peace Powow &
World Cultures Festival
(831) 623-2379
www.peacevision.net
May 31,2008
Honoring the Elders Gathering
(408) 287-8366
The opinions and views expressed
in the INDIAN TIMES newspaper
do not necessarily reflect the
opinions or views of the University
of California, the Regents of the
University of California, UCRʼs
faculty, staff, or students. The
opinions expressed and written in
each article belong exclusively to
the author of the article in question.
INDIAN TIMES is coordinated
by the Native American Student
Programs Office at the University of
California, Riverside.
Editor: Earl Dean Sisto
Assistant Editors: Joshua Gonzales,
Gabriela Rios, Kyle Molina
INDIAN TIMES
Native American Student Programs - 114
University of California at Riverside
229 Costo Hall
900 University Avenue
Riverside, California 92521
Phone: (951) 827-4143
Fax:
(951) 827-4342
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.nasp.ucr.edu
© INDIAN TIMES — 2007