U.S (NATIVE ORGANIZERS ALLIANCE ACTION FUND) : A walk to WOUNDED KNEE from 4 directions.

 

 

 

 

 

Friend, 

 

I was in South Dakota in 1973-1974 after the National Guard and armed FBI agents swarmed in and set off a 71-day armed standoff at Wounded Knee. At the time, it sparked a new level of Native activism, which has had a continuing impact on our vision of sovereignty in a democratic society.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary, I returned to Wounded Knee to join many of my sisters and brothers from this historic fight. We honored all those who had the vision of a future where our communities would thrive and live as our ancestors had hoped. We prayed, danced and recommitted to building the political power we need to protect our rights and sovereignty.

One of the most important ways to build our power is to pass the Native American Voting Rights Act. Native communities in the U.S. face continued voter suppression and discrimination that restricts our ability to exercise our right to vote. When we can’t vote, we lose a critical tool for mobilizing the political pressure for holding the federal and local governments accountable. Will you contribute $5 or whatever you can to fund this movement now?

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately :

Chip in $20 now Chip in $70 now

Chip in $150 now Chip in $250 now

Chip in $500 now other amount

Part remembrance, part celebration, we ended the days of remembrance with a walk to Wounded Knee from all Four Directions -- North, South, East and West. As I walked the eight miles from Porcupine to Wounded Knee, where I lived and worked on the legal defense of hundreds arrested after the occupation, I was struck how we were walking to remember while also walking towards our future.

The walking gave us all time to think about things today that we’ve got to fight for. Our ancestral responsibility motivated young people and elders to mark this anniversary of Native community power and sovereignty. It brought a renewed sense of urgency and sense of our collective power.

At the grave site for the hundreds of Lakota people massacred by U.S. troops in 1890, Frank Star Comes Out, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, spoke movingly and powerfully about the legacy of Wounded Knee. While it still divides some in our community 50 years later, he called for unity to continue the work of achieving full sovereignty and self determination.

We build Native political power by supporting and connecting networks of Native activists to win critical fights that restore, protect, and expand our rights -- together. Please contribute $5 and deliver the resources we need now.

With your help, we’re fighting back against ongoing attacks by building Native political power, with a renewed call for sovereignty and racial justice.

Hawwih (thank you) for being a critical part of this movement,

 

Judith Le Blanc (Caddo)
Executive Director

DONATE TODAY