Remembering Vernon Bellecourt on The Day of Mourning |  |
Greetings, sisters and brothers:
I’m writing this letter from Plymouth,
Mass., on what most of us
call Thanksgiving Day.
Many Native Americans,
however, call it the National Day
of Mourning. Indians don’t have a
whole lot to be thankful for, especially
the Lakota Sioux of Wanblee,
South Dakota, the poorest
town in America. 75 of its 107
households live below the poverty
level. Diabetes and other life
threatening diseases are rampant,
but there’s no money for medical
bills. Families get through the bitter
wanietu (winter) by huddling
together underneath their blankets
inside bare bones government
shacks. Alcoholism—the
white man’s gift to the Indians—
is devastating the town’s young
adults, who make up 56% of the
population.
Nevertheless, the people of
Wanblee are grateful, for the fuel
and the warm clothing that will
help them survive the winter. And
for the new toys that will make
their children smile this holiday
season.
They’re thankful to you, because
you are the heart of Lakota
Kidz. Without you, there would
be no respite from the killing
combination of deep poverty and
another long Pine Ridge Reservation
wanietu.
For 37 years, the United
American Indians of New England
(www.UAINE.org) and their supporters
have gathered across the
street from Plymouth Rock on
Thanksgiving Day, to mourn and
honor those who have perished in
the long fight for justice and equity,
from Crazy Horse to Vernon
Bellecourt to beloved UAINE
spiritual leader Sam Sapiel, 75,
who passed in May, 2007.
UAINE Co-Leader Mahtowin
Munro was born and raised on
Pine Ridge, not far from Wanblee.
She remembers the heartbreaking
conditions there.
Today, after a few inspirational
addresses by Mahtowin and
other Native leaders, we marched
through the streets of Plymouth
in a solemn procession, ending up
at the First Presbyterian Church.
As soon as the elders and children
have eaten, we’ll share in a
communal potluck dinner
unequalled since 1620.
Did you know that the first
official Day of Thanksgiving was
not proclaimed until 1637, to celebrate
the safe return of those men
who had participated in the massacre
of 700 Pequot men, women,
and children in Connecticut?
Lakota Kidz has participated
in Day of Mourning since 1998.
For the last three years we have
manned a table here, disseminating
information and selling
T-shirts. This year, Lakota Kidz
board member K.T. Leary helped
plan and cook dinner for 200.
K.T.’s daughter, Shannon, joined
me for the march, along with
board member Ed DeFord, Associate
Directors Jessica Marrocco
and Tony Puzzo, and my daughter,
Corrie. I couldn’t be prouder.
National Day of Mourning is
also a day to strengthen bonds,
renew commitments, meet new
friends, and plan for a brighter
future.
Of course, there are lots of
ways to help. You’ve proven your
generosity in the past, but winter
is fast approaching, and it’s time
again to lay in a store of life-saving
propane. I hope you can find it in
your heart—and your budget—to
donate again this year. If not, we
still need volunteers to help raise
funds, and to help out at events.
Remember, Mitakuye Oyasin:
We are all related. On behalf of
our sisters and brothers in Wanblee,
pilamayaye (thank you), and
Wakan Tanka nici un (May the
Great Spirit go with you and guide
you). —Stephen Martin
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