While many proud Americans stuffed our bellies with Thanksgiving turkey - it is a day of mourning for many Native Americans who feel the celebration represents the end of their freedom and way of life.
This is an important message from jailed American Indian activist Leonard Peltier.
Respectfully,
Greg Peterson aka YoopernewsmanVolunteer media advisor for the Turtle Island Project in northern Michigan.
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
Please forward the following message - please do not edit.
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National Day of Mourning Statement, by Leonard Peltier November 22, 2007
The Leonard Peltier Defense kindly requests that you please forward this announcement in its entirety, please do not modify, edit, remove or add to this announcement.
Respectfully,
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Thank You United American Indians of New England ( LPSG )
On behalf of Leonard Peltier and the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, we would like to thank the United American Indians of New England, LPSG for their continued support and solidarity.
This year's National Day of Mourning is dedicated to Leonard Peltier.
Since 1970, hundreds of other Native Americans from across the country and their non-Native allies have been converging on Plymouth Harbor to let people know that Thanksgiving is a "Day of Mourning" that marks the genocide of thousands of Native Americans, the theft of Native Lands and the assault on Native Cultures.
Today, Thursday, November 22, 2007 hundreds of people will gather and march on Plymouth Harbor and join in solidarity as various tribal elders and members speak of the importance of Unity among all Indigenous Peoples.
Elder Bert Waters will read the following statement from Leonard Peltier:
National Day of Mourning Statement from Leonard Peltier:
November 22, 2007
Greetings my Relations, As I sit here in my cell, thinking about you, and gathering my thoughts, I can't help but appreciate you remembering me.
I was told just the other day that people in Oklahoma protested Oklahoma's 100 year celebration of its statehood.
They protested or demonstrated and also celebrated their 100 years of survival of an adversed government that has violated all treaties and has gained control of most of their land.
I support those Indian people.
It also brings to mind those who - like Columbus came and did the same, take our lands, and also what has happened to all people all over the world- the Jews, the Palestians, as well as other indigenous countries and peoples.
Yet I have to say that America shares most of the responsibility to do the right thing.
What happened to the teachings or commandments of: Thou shall not lie Thou shall not kill Thou shall not steal
I can't remember all the commandments but what I do know is They have lied They have killed They have stolen.
They have mistreated our Mother- our Mother Earth, our rivers, our land, the air we breathe and the water we drink.
I consider global warming the wrong that has been done to our people.
Even the Mexican people state in their own way, "We did not cross the border, the border crossed us".
The Mexican people are Indian people. I have no doubt the Indian people of South America, North America, Central American will join in unison to make all the America's better.
A circle of Life is what dictates that the earth shall renew itself every spring. We have said this for generations.
Go back and read our Elders sayings as we have been trying to tell Europeans that came here- to honorour traditional ways and to honor our Mother Earth and keep the Circle of Life.
Chief Seattle said: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Chief Seattle, 1855
This is just one of the many quotations from our ancestors.
Now today we have global warming.
We take no pride of solace in saying " We told you so."
But we do hope that the people of Europe and all around the world will start looking at the Native way of life.
Our Elders teach us that when we take from this earth, we must give back.
There is no greater resource on the face of this earth than our children.
America is leading in the wrongful influence of our youth.
Wrong medicine is being offered to our youth, commonly called alcohol and drugs.
It is up to each one of us, to get involved and make a difference in a positive way.
It is time to give back to our children.
I encourage each of you to take it upon yourself to stand up and find someway to help our youth.
The youth of the world are in jeopardy; let us not rob future generations of their future.
The greatest symbol of the Creator is the circle.
I encourage each of you to make the circle complete- the sacred cycle of the family, the cycle of the seasons, your personal cycle of life make them as strong as possible spiritually, mentally and physically.
Stay strong and never, never give up.
I can not say it enough or express my appreciation to each of you how much I appreciate those of you who came here today to remember me and to listen to what this prisoner has to say.
Again I simply say,
Thank you In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,
Leonard Peltier
#89637-132
USP Lewisburg PA
PO BOX 1000
Lewisburg ,PA 17837
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Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Toni Zeidan-Co-director LPDC
Website:
http://www.leonardpeltier.net
email:
info@leonardpeltier.net
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1 comment:
Greetings from Sydney Australia,my brother Leonard. Thank you for your respect and wisdom that you still share with your people and the people of the world. Your true wisdom is so much in touch with the creator, that he must guide you each day. I pray for all Native American people and that the Goverment you have will stop stealing and lying to you, and for the first time stand by the Eagle which is the symbol of your country the United States of America, the Eagle stands for truth, and Justice. Where is the justice here I cant see it, and I sure am not blind. Leonard Peltier is a true good man, a honor to the human race and especially to his own Native people who should always honor love and take care of him. Your words are heard my friend and I hear you and pray for your release everyday. It is so sad that the truth falls on deaf ears in your American so called Justice system.From a Human being in Sydney Australia, I Recy Maree Kypri say to your FBI agents and Goverment Shame on you all. How do you sleep at night and look at your selves in the mirror each day,everyone one day will face the creator for his deeds on earth, and boy are all you people who are involved in this false arrest and prison sentence will sure get it in the end. Your christian God will not help you then. Get a Grip America FREE LEONARD PELTIER ONCE AND FOR ALL BEFORE HIS LIFE ENDS. Give him time with his family, his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as the people he stands for.STAND STRONG MY BROTHER YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY PRAYERS.
Your Friend from downunder Australia.
AHO AND LOTS OF LOVE AND PEACE TO YOU
Recy Kypri
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