Annual reminder that this is STILL in America's Declaration of Independence, and always has been. This land was stolen from us, this country was never made for us, but in spite of and against us.
There is a lot of talk lately about how it feels as though we are living in an apocalypse, a collapse of everything as know it and I will remind you:
Indigenous people have been living in a post-apocalypse since settlers came and systematically destroyed our culture, language, traditions, land, and food. And I can tell you, even as someone who didn't grow up steeped in my culture, I think about, feel, and am affected by this every. Single. Day.
1 in 3 Indigenous people think about loss of language daily. I am that 1 in 3. The 4th of July is always difficult for me, as patriotism is at a high and I can't help but reflect on what it took - what was taken - for this country to arrive here.
Please take some time to educate yourselves about the Declaration of Independence today and how it's written, and how the Indigenous people of these lands have been affected by the American Dream. Please take some time to learn whose Tribal lands you're celebrating on, learn the names of those people, and a little of their history.
Together, as we move forward, I firmly believe we can continue to right some of the wrongs done by this country. We can return stewardship of the land to its people, we can invest in language and cultural programs, we can be proactive about uplifting Indigenous voices in media, and we can treat Indigenous people like peoples of the present, not of the past.
Some reflections as families come together during this long weekend in what is recognized as a federal holiday; The Fourth of July: The
Learn whose land you're on:
Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life. We welcome you to our site.
Across Indian Country, tribal nations are buying back their land one parcel at a time
How the 4th of July fails to acknowledge the ongoing struggles of Indigenous and Black folk in the United States. By: Meera Baswan and
