I was deeply moved to be one of thousands to experience the masterfully hand-carved and painted work of our Lummi Nation relatives in person,” said Steph Viera, NDN Collective’s Social Media Manager. “It was a pure blessing to support and capture the final moments of the Red Road to DC Journey alongside our partner organizations Illuminative and Native Organizers Alliance. We hope our representatives heard us loud and clear – pass into law the requirement for free, prior, and informed consent with this nation’s Indigenous people.” “Getting Indigenous lands back into Indigenous hands is achievable and it’s already happening with the recent bison range restoration and so many more examples.
Indigenous voices are not just opinion, they are a decision,” said Lycia Maddocks, NDN Collective’s Political Director.
The delegation that travelled from across Indian Country,made their way to DC with the goal to make it clear that we expect consent over our lands, water, and wildlife. “We are stepping into a new era of Indigenous policy and power. The journey, which started on July 14 in Lummi, Washingtonwith the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation, made stops at sacred Indigenous sites around the country, including in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where NDN Collective hosted a ceremony to bless the totem pole and the spirit of the journey.Ĭo-organizers of the journey include House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation, Native Organizers Alliance, Se’Si’Le, Illuminative and The Natural History Museum.
Numerous tribal delegations, leaders and community members gathered to welcome the totem pole, voicing the necessity of protecting sacred sites, and uplifting the need for free, prior and informed consent by Indigenous Peoples of Indigenous land. RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA - On Thursday, July 29, NDN Collective joined the Red Road to DC cohort presenting the 25 foot, 5,000-pound totem pole to Secretary Deb Haaland.