National Day of Mourning 2010
It has been 40 years since the Wampanoag leader Wamsutta (Frank B.) James was asked to give a speech at the annual Thanksgiving reenactment in Plymouth, MA. That year, 1970, was the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival on Wampanoag land. Famously, upon being asked to accept the censorship of his remarks by the anniversary committee for being critical of the English and later American treatment of his people and all Native Americans, James instead chose to lead a protest against the official proceedings - and gave his original speech on Cole's Hill, near Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower replica, upon which stands a statue of Massasoit, the Wampanoag leader when the Pilgrims first landed. That first event declared Thanksgiving Day to be a National Day of Mourning.
A event has been held in a similar fashion every year since. Not without struggle, unfortunately. At times Native Americans and their allies have been been met with force by local authorities. But by 1998 an accord was reached between the Town of Plymouth and the event organizers - the United American Indians of New England - that allowed the National Day of Mourning commemoration to take place annually without incident.
The settlement even provided money for 2 plaques - including one placed on a stone next to the statue of Massasoit that reads
"National Day of Mourning
"Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. To them, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of their people, the theft of their lands, and the relentless assault on their culture. Participants in the National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.
"Erected by the Town of Plymouth on behalf of the United American Indians of New England."
Needless to say, Open Media Boston recommends that anyone who can make it, join this year's 41st National Day of Mourning event in Plymouth, MA. And if you can't make it, be sure to honor the memories of all the Native American victims of English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French and American imperialism throughout all of the Americas wherever you are at 12 noon on Thursday, Nov. 25th with a few minutes of reflection followed by some discussion with whoever is around you. If you're going to a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner, you also should consider working discussion of the National Day of Mourning into general conversation.
And to honor the Native Americans of today, it would be a good idea to heed to the theme of this year's National Day of Mourning event in Plymouth and work to free Leonard Peltier. Click here for more information on that campaign.
For those who can get to Plymouth on Thursday, we're reprinting informational flyers on the National Day of Mourning event below.
Peace.
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Event Flyer:
Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.
41st NATIONAL
DAY OF MOURNING
Thursday, November 25, 2010
12 Noon
Cole’s Hill (the hill above Plymouth Rock)
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Join us as we dedicate the 41st National Day of Mourning to our brother, Native political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Add your voice to the millions world-wide who demand his freedom. Help us in our struggle to create a true awareness of Native peoples and demonstrate the unity of Indigenous peoples internationally. Help shatter the untrue glass image of the Pilgrims and the unjust system based on racism, sexism, homophobia and war.
For More Information Contact:
United American Indians of New England/LPSG
Phone: (617) 522-6626
info@uaine.org
http://www.uaine.org
Absolutely No Drugs or Alcohol Allowed
Pot-luck Social to Follow
Please send Donations via Metacom Education Project,
284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.
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Orientation Flyer:
ORIENTATION FOR 2010 NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
WHAT IS NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING?
An annual tradition since 1970, Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after Day of Mourning so that participants in DOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in political action. Over the years, participants in Day of Mourning have buried Plymouth Rock a number of times, boarded the Mayflower replica, and placed ku klux klan sheets on the statue of William Bradford, etc.
WHEN AND WHERE IS DAY OF MOURNING?
Thursday, November 25, 2010 (U.S. "thanksgiving" day) at Cole's Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon SHARP. Cole's Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area.
WILL THERE BE A MARCH?
There will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth has agreed, as part of the settlement of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the town advance notice.
PROGRAM: Although we very much welcome our non-Native allies to stand with us at NDOM, it is a day when Native people only speak about our history and what is going on with us now and the struggles that are taking place throughout the Americas. Speakers will be by invitation only. This year's NDOM is once again dedicated to our brother Leonard Peltier.
SOCIAL: There will be a social held after the National Day of Mourning speak-out and march this year. It is possible that the hall that we have obtained is not large enough to seat everyone at once. We may have to do two seatings. Preference for the first seating will be given to Elders, children and their mother/caretaker, pregnant women, Disabled people, and people who have traveled a long distance to join National Day of Mourning. Please respect our culture and our wish to ensure that these guests will be the first to be able to sit and eat. With this understanding in mind, please bring non-alcoholic beverages, desserts, fresh fruit & vegetables, and pre-cooked items (turkeys, hams, stuffing, vegetables, casseroles, rice & beans, etc.) that can be easily re-warmed at the social hall. Thank you.
TRANSPORTATION: Limited carpool transportation may be available from Boston. Contact the Boston IAC Office at (617) 522-6626. There is transportation from New York City via the International Action Center, for more information call 212-633-6646.
Directions: National Day of Mourning is held by the statue of Massasoit at Cole's Hill. Cole's Hill is the hill rising above Plymouth Rock on the Plymouth waterfront. If you need directions, use Water Street and Leyden Street in Plymouth, MA as your destination at mapquest.com. That will bring you to within a few hundred feet of Plymouth Rock and Cole's Hill. You can probably find a place to park down on Water Street.
Donations: Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Please make checks payable to the Metacom Education Project and mail to Metacom Education Project/UAINE at 284 Amory Street, Boston, MA 02130.
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Jason Pramas is Editor/Publisher of Open Media Boston
