Indigenous People's Day SF

Since you're not using it, we'll take it back Dept.

Oct 14, 2024

I had forgotten about today being Indigenous People’s Day. It’s not like it’s an Amazon sale or god forbid, the latest political hot takes from which you can’t escape. (and make me feel like a punch drunk contender in a fixed fight I’m not supposed to win.)

I remember that 50 years ago while a youngster at YMCA camp in Boone, we learned deep respect for the indigenous people who inhabited this land before any of us did. It was a much deeper experience than just learning the original names for rivers or town names. 30 years later living in the San Francisco Bay area, I had to update my understanding of what it meant to respect those who were here before us.

For those of you who may not remember what we’re talking about here, this local YouTube documentary and this shorter, funnier PG version (for hipsters from Comedy Central) should catch you up to the situation.

Today October 14, 2024 is Indigenous People’s day and for those of us who’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay area for any length of time, you have an understanding of what that means in ways many do not.

The story of the occupation of Alcatraz Island by Native American protestors beginning in 1969 placed the issue of Indigenous human rights in front of the American public with enough moral force to render obvious the reason why ~~Columbus~~ day had to evolve to become Indigenous People’s Day. It forced a reckoning, facing the reality that Native Americans weren’t just here “to be mascots for America’s fun and games.”

The months-long takeover of Alcatraz Island became a symbol of grace and persistence amidst considerable official attempts at undermining their efforts. It remains a fascinating, poignant-yet-fierce testament to the spirit of those on whose land we all occupy.

The schools and local governments of the San Francisco Bay were always working to reclaim some of their own humanity by acknowledging in word and deed the massive acts of disenfranchisement imposed on the indigenous people.

My November 2014 visit to the original site of the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz was striking for many reasons, not the least of which was the sheer number of citizens of all cultures willing to express empathy, support and kinship. We’re all human, no matter the hue, man.

The Alcatraz Occupation chapter of the Indigenous rights struggle has been told in many forms but actually witnessing the sunrise gatherings was deeply moving. I’m very glad I still have this archival footage to bring to you today.

Our journey began in the dark of the pre-dawn, ends in the brilliant light of a thousand uplifted hearts and voices.

We started our journey at 3:30am driving from San Rafael, Ca. to San Francisco where we boarded a ferry with hundreds of others with the intention to arrive Alcatraz before the 7:10am sunrise.

A long but thoroughly inspiring day….

The capacity for human empathy enables us to enhance our understanding of the conditions for happiness and respect for each other. When that spark of empathy is there, we willingly set a path toward the acknowledgement of our shared ability to create connection within justice.

As the clouds swirl around us, let us know we really are the seeds of our own salvation.

Indian of All Tribes 2014 gathering on Alcatraz Island

May we remember that an Iowan was also a part of the sad history in the West.

A 6-minute recap of a great day in 2014

Indigenous People's Day SF

Since you're not using it, we'll take it back Dept.

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