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Youth Activism
Perhaps Leonard
Peltier has said it best:
"When those of my generation heard [the truth], a light ignited
within us. Speaking from our hearts, our Elders told us, is our
first duty—our first obligation to ourselves and to our peoples. So, we spoke out—against oppression, injustice, the destruction of
our culture, and the violation of Mother Earth. We resisted
[and] we
resist still
because we remembered the most important lesson of
all: Each of us must be a survivor.
That resistance was our first step towards reconciliation—the
restoration of harmony with the Great Spirit, within ourselves,
among each other, and between all of humankind.
Reconciliation—The Great Healing—begins with each and every one
of us... Honor sky and earth. Look not to man-made laws for justice
but to the natural laws of the Great Mystery. By that law, there
will be freedom for all of us to live in peace and harmony.
We must show respect towards others but, most of all, for ourselves. Be proud. Embrace your culture
and never regret being who you are—an Indian. Love yourself.
Love your people, too. Remember who you are. Remember the old ways. Teach your children
and their children. Be good to one another.
And remember the Elders. The Elders of your Nations ask for your love
and understanding. We
are ordinary, often flawed, and may even have done you wrong in
times past. Let us show you that we have become better human beings. Let us show you that we love you.
I love you. My life is
yours.
Love, also, the diversity of humanity. Look upon other peoples of
the Earth with respect and tolerance instead of prejudice, distrust,
and hatred. How else can we live as the Creator intended, as sisters
and brothers, all of one human family?"
We believe that all the generations can and should work together to
make the world a better place.
Through
our outreach activities, we educate our young people about our
traditions, as well as issues and challenges our Peoples face. In
this way, we know our Nations' youth will continue the struggle.
Our outreach to youth is not limited to the Indigenous Peoples,
however. The United States was built on political activism and
dissent. We encourage all American youth—regardless
of race, ethnicity, religious or spiritual beliefs, gender, etc.—to
celebrate their diversity, but also recognize their similarities and
common interests. Remember the promise... With liberty and
justice for all. Read Leonard Peltier's
statement delivered at the opening ceremony at the U.S. Social
Forum, Detroit, Michigan, on 22 June 2010.
We invite all youth worldwide to join with us to protect Mother
Earth and to ensure human rights for all peoples. As Sitting Bull said, "As individual fingers we can easily be
broken, but all together we make a mighty fist."
Together, we will survive.
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