Activism is interpreted different ways.
For the purposes of this website, activism is defined as an outward, physical aspect of supporting Indigenous affairs. Not everyone wants to put themselves "out there." It's great if you do. As this page grows, we'll present some of these visible ways to be an Indigenous ally.
This Activism page begins with the first National Day of Mourning in 1970. It is from the Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History website. Links to more stories about Indigenous activism are at the bottom of this page.
The National Day of Mourning is meant to be “a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”
On November 26, 1970, American Indian Movement (AIM) activists occupied Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. Known as the National Day of Mourning, this annual event was sparked by Commonwealth of Massachusetts officials censoring a speech to be given by Frank James (Wamsutta), an Aquinnah Wampanoag, at the 350th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims. The reason given was “. . . the theme of the anniversary celebration is brotherhood and anything inflammatory would have been out of place.” James’ speech included many harsh truths. “History gives us facts and there were atrocities,” James wrote and went on to recall the loss of language, culture, land, and life. However, his speech closed with a call for a new beginning:
Our spirit refuses to die. . . We are uniting. . . We stand tall and proud, and before too many moons pass we’ll right the wrongs we have allowed to happen to us. We forfeited our country. Our lands have fallen into the hands of the aggressor. We have allowed the white man to keep us on our knees. What has happened cannot be changed, but today we must work towards a more humane America, a more Indian America, where men and nature once again are important; where the Indian values of honor, truth, and brotherhood prevail. You the white man are celebrating an anniversary. We, the Wampanoags, will help you celebrate in the concept of a beginning. It was the beginning of a new life for the Pilgrims. Now, 350 years later it is a beginning of a new determination for the original American: the American Indian.
----- Frank James (Wamsutta), Aquinnah Wampanoag
Read the full speech and learn more about the National Day of Mourning.