Proposal passed at the Occupy Oakland General Assembly, Friday, October 28, 2011.
RESOLUTION: Memorandum of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Oakland” acknowledge that the United States of America is a colonial (and imperial) nation, and that non-indigenous people are guests upon stolen indigenous land; and
WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Oakland” acknowledge that Oakland is already occupied land; Oakland being the historical territory of the Chochenyo Ohlone people; and
WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Oakland” acknowledge that indigenous peoples here and around the world continue to resist the violent oppression and exploitation of colonizing nations like the United States, and as a result have a great amount of experience that could strengthen the “Occupy Wall Street” movement; and
WHEREAS, those participating in “Occupy Oakland” acknowledge that after centuries of disregard for the welfare of future generations, and the consistent disrespect and exploitation of the Earth, we all find ourselves on a polluted and disturbed planet, lacking the wisdom to live sustainably at peace with the community of Life; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that those participating in “Occupy Oakland” seek the genuine and respectful involvement of indigenous peoples in the rebuilding of a new society on their ancestral lands; and
As a signal to the national “Occupy Wall Street” movement and the indigenous peoples here and there who have felt excluded by the colonialist language of occupation used to name this movement, it shall be declared that “Occupy Oakland” aspires to “Decolonize Oakland” – to “Decolonize Wall Street” – with the guidance and participation of indigenous peoples; and
Extending an open hand of humility and friendship, those participating in “Occupy Oakland” respectfully invite indigenous peoples to join the uprising against corporate greed taking place across this continent. “Occupy Oakland” wishes to further the process of healing and reconciliation and implores indigenous peoples to share their wisdom and guidance, as they see fit, so as to help restore true freedom and democracy in this country, to initiate a new era of peace and cooperation that will work for everyone, including the Earth and the original inhabitants of this land.
In Solidarity,
Corrina Gould (Chochenyo Ohlone),
American Indian Child Resource Center of Oakland
Joanne Barker (Lenape [Delaware Tribe of Indians])¸ SFSU
Luz Calvo, CSU East Bay
Andreana Clay, SFSU
Andrew Jolivétte (Opelousa/Atakapa-Ishak), SFSU
Melissa Nelson (Anishinaabe [Turtle Mountain Chippewa]), SFSU
Kathy Wallace (Karuk, Yurok, and Hupa), SFSU
John-Carlos Perea (Mescalero Apache), SFSU
Hershe, thank you for posting these two resolutions.
Thanks for posting! Its great to see how many cities in our movement are discussing these issues!
You folks should read :
The Territorial Imperative
A Personal Inquiry into the Animal Origins of Property and Nations
by
Robert Ardrey
the concept of “indigenous” is not fixed. On this continent alone 14,000 years of occupants have been taking land, killing and claiming new territory. In Eurasia the same process has taken place. The Europeans who invaded this continent were following a pattern homo sapiens have practiced for thousands of years. To say the American Indians, Hispanics or Blacks are unique in this process and blame it on the “white male” occupying group is to engage in fanciful thinking. Yes, people of color have not received equal treatment in the US and various “white” groups in Eurasia did not receive equal treatment. All groups have engaged in “occupation” and all groups have engaged in slavery, murder and acts of violence against subjugated races. Today we , people living in the US, are engaged in an economic fight against a power elite that controls governmental decisions that effect all of us. It is conceivable that if the changes Occupy desires take place that the effects will not be equally distributed across the races in America. However the combined effort of all races to jam the gears of the corporate monopoly and reconstituted as a nation guided by humanistic principoles has a good chance of helping all races in their struggles for equality. The constant complaints of the groups who lost in a territorial struggle will not help move them forward.Victim thinking drains energy and creativity. Together we can make a better existence. Divided we exist as complaining groups with no belief that we can change our lives. Which do we want. I opt for the belief we can work together if the internal anger is directed toward the enemy and not toward each other.
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And now, as has been the case in prior postings is the time to remove the alternative beliefs.