Indigenous Peoples Day: Do you know whose lands you occupy?

Poster by Jackie Fawn

COMMENTARY

Today, on Indigenous Peoples Day, the very least all of us can do is acknowledge that we are on lands once occupied by the original Native American inhabitants.

For example, I live on land where the Chupcan band of the Miwok once lived, played,  hunted and nurtured.

"We acknowledge that the ACLU of Northern California exists on the occupied territory of over 100 tribes. This land has been stewarded by Indigenous people since time immemorial," starts a statement issued by the ACLU chapter.

"We recognize the painful history upon which the state of California was created, and how policies, systems, and structures continue to oppress and erase Indigenous peoples today," the statement continued.

"Beginning with the brutal Mission system during the Spanish colonial period, this history continued through genocide sanctioned and funded by the new state government as California entered the union. Laws and policies sought to erase Indigenous peoples altogether. These included the malignant 1850 “Act for the Governance and Protection of Indians,” termination and continued non-recognition of California tribes and tribal governments, and prohibition of traditional and cultural practices. For the past two centuries, tribal communities have been displaced from and dispossessed of their ancestral lands, sacred sites have been destroyed, and families and communities have been torn apart through residential boarding schools and relocation programs.

The ACLU commissioned a Filipino/Yorok/Washoe artist to create the accompanying poster. To download the poster, click here.

About the artist:

Jackie Fawn is a Yurok/Washoe/Filipino artist who currently resides in Mohawk territory, Akwesasne. She uses her art to address social and environmental issues in Native American communities

"This art is how I see the vast beauty and rich culture of Native California. From the ancient redwood giants to the concrete towers of the city, California (as the rest of the country) will always be Native Land. It is important to honor and recognize the land we stand upon.

This illustration is of a woman standing strong with the medicines our ancestors prayed with, a Two Spirit youth holding the drum and songs of our ancestors and wearing red for our MMIP (Murdered and Missing Indigenous Peoples), and of an elder, who has carried the knowledge of our ancestors for us to carry into future generations."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, tips, observations from an AAPI perspective, follow me on Twitter @dioknoed.