Native American activists have been present as long as the Europeans have been working to colonize us.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the enduring presence and resistance of Native American activists against colonization efforts by Europeans.
Deb Haaland's quote acknowledges the long-standing advocacy of Native American activists who have fought against colonization since the arrival of Europeans in North America. It emphasizes that while colonization efforts have persisted throughout history, the voices and actions of Indigenous peoples seeking justice and recognition have also continuously existed, underscoring their resilience and commitment to protect their rights and culture.
In practice
In a speech addressing Indigenous rights, one might quote Deb Haaland to emphasize the historical context of activism.
In spite of our agonizing history, Native American people find much to celebrate. The songs, the dances, the culture and traditions surrounding planting and harvests, the prayers that are sent upward for healing and peace, and the welcoming of children into our families, are all reasons for us to keep moving forward with optimism.
Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household, I never imagined a world in which I would be represented by someone who looked like me.
I want every young Indigenous girl to think about getting involved in their communities. You're never too young to help with community efforts.
Racism and bigotry should never fuel any administration's policies. Calls to send anyone 'back' contradict who we should be as a country and the ideals for which we stand.
I spent my 20s earning minimum wage decorating cakes for a living. But one day, I looked in the mirror and realized I wanted more, for me and my people. I saw too many Native Americans struggling, and I realized we should have a voice in who our elected officials are.
The tenets of my cultural teachings are rooted in our commitment to lift up every community member so that no one is left behind. Work and food were shared equally. Through our commitment to community, we care about children, even when they aren't ours, and we want our old folks, and yours, to live their last days in dignity and comfort.
Remember travel agents? Remember how they just kind of vanished one day? Well, that's where all the other jobs that once made us middle class are going, to that same magical, class-killing, job-sucking wormhole into which travel agency jobs vanished, never to return.
As important as it is to change the light bulbs, its more important to change the laws
Millions of people in nearly 80 countries still live in fear of landmines and explosive remnants of war, which take an unacceptable toll on lives and limbs, and people's livelihoods
After the destruction of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the shutdown of much of New York City by Sandy in 2012, and now the devastation wrought on Texas by Harvey, the U.S. can and should do better.
The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, and the surrender of the principal insurgent army, give hope of a righteous and speedy peace whose joyous expression can not be restrained. In the midst of this, however, He, from Whom all blessings flow, must not be forgotten. A call for a national thanksgiving is being prepared, and will be duly promulgated.
It doesn't need to be the same every day, doesn't need to be the same shower I use, the same restaurant I go to, the same hour I go to sleep. I've always been very flexible. I don't care if I practice at nine in the morning or 10 P.M.
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