Indigenous Peoples Day—an act of decolonization unfolds
Navajo-Hopi Observer
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Somana Yaiva
Many years have come to pass in
the struggle of our indigenous peoples to achieve the recognition that
is our inherent right as human beings, a recognition that was the first
casualty of colonization.
However
thanks to the indigenous peoples organization TONATIERRA that may be
soon changing. The proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day will be made
on March 11 at the Nahuacalli, Embassy of the Indigenous Peoples. A new
dawn for the indigenous Peoples of the continent is unfolding, the Nican
Tlacah Ilhuitl.
The Mayor of the
City of Phoenix, Phil Gordon, will be presenting the official
proclamation from the city to the assembled representatives of the
native nations of the territory and community. It is estimated that
there are at least 65, 000 members of tribally enrolled indigenous
peoples residing within Phoenix, with tens of thousands more from
indigenous nations and communities from the south where tribal
enrollment is not the norm.
The
significance of Nican Tlacah Ilhuitl - Indigenous Peoples Day is
historic. As a celebration and recognition of the spirit of our common
humanity, the proclamation serves to recognize our identity as peoples, a
precise term of legal definition and collective identity within the
present international legal system and the foundation of the right to
self-determination globally.
As
an act of decolonization, the weeklong series of events, which will
coincide with the Proclamation of Nican Tlacah Ilhuitl, an event
sponsored in part with Black Mesa Water Coalition and TONATIERRA. The
event will serve to strengthen the collective efforts of the indigenous
peoples to implement solutions to issues faced in our communities in
areas such as human rights, environmental justice, community
development, health, culture and education.
Nican
Tlacah Ilhuitl refers to the Dawn of Indigenous Peoples Day in the
Nahuatl language (the same language family in which Hopi is
categorized), the language of the native Mexican peoples who are the
descendants of the Azteca. Much like the break of dawn brings first
light upon the land, the efforts of groups of indigenous peoples such as
TONATIERRA from around the world are uniting in preparation for the day
coming soon when all will be able to see the radiant light from the Sun
of Justice.
Delegations of the
Seven Council Fire Lakota Dakota Nakota, Western Shoshone, Nahuatlacah
and Maya among others are expected in attendance. The Nukutham of the
Sacred Sites of the Tohono O’Odham Nations from Baboquivari Mountain are
serving to receive the visiting delegations into the territory. Other
indigenous nations from other areas of the continent and the world,
which will be delivering messages of support and affirmation, include
the representatives of the Black Mesa Water Coalitio, which has
representatives of the Diné, Hopi, Pomo and Lakota nations.
TONATIERRA
has sent out an open invitation to members of other indigenous nations
to be present and show their support and representation.
The
weeklong series of events include a music and spoken word event
organized by TONATIERRA, Black Mesa Water Coalition and other indigenous
youth groups of the region. This contemporary assertion of cultural
identity is being organized under the theme of “An Act of
Decolonization” and is being held Saturday, March 13 at the Nahuacalli,
Embassy of Indigenous Peoples located at 802 N. Seventh St. in central
Phoenix.
The conclusion of the
weeklong events will be the concert featuring Quetzal of East LA, Victor
E also of East LA, Casper and the 602 from Hopi land, Blackfire from
Flagstaff, the Blue Thunder Singers of the Salt River Pima nation and
Yaiva, Project X and JayNez of the Diné, Hopi, Mexican and Cheyenne
nations.
Nican
Tlacah Ilhuitl - Indigenous Peoples Day is also the first day of the New
Year in the Aztec calendar, a time of destiny and self determination,
which stands as a signal for all indigenous peoples worldwide.
Referring to the Xiuhpohualli, the count of years of Izkalotlan, Aztlan
which correlates to other counts of calendar systems among the Maya and
Nahua Nations, a legation of the Indigenous Peoples Peace Initiative
travels now to fulfill an ancestral mandate called the prophecy of the
Sixth Sun given on Aug. 13, 1521 in Mexico.
“It
is the dawn of the Sun of Justice. The first rays of light from the
east have been seen; they have been felt,” said one youth who has made a
lifelong commitment to the goals of the initiative. “Now is the time to
go forward in a sacred manner. A new world is about to be born.”
For
more information contact Tupac Enrique Acosta at chanltaca@tonatierra.org
If you are interested in TONATIERRA you can
visit the website at www.tonatierra.org or www.indigenouspeoplesday.org.
(Northern Arizona writer Somana Yaiva is a regular contributor to the Navajo-Hopi Observer.)
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