Indigenous Peoples' Day

Columbus, though of a weaver

Yearned and took to the seas as a youth

Inspired...to make travel easier,

Sail Westward. His three ships the proof

Pilgrims, then, came to America

For their religious liberty

No lawless? what a miracle!

A true community

As a civilized people

Proclaiming to be free

Our nation's accountable

To judge law responsibly

Violence and deception

This is not a pretty scene

As a Light, since inception,

Under God to be seen

How we treat others

Is not political, but moral

Yes restitution 

Is a just matter for all

In our frontiering past

We were disingenuous

To those who built towns first

The nonnomadic indigenous

We pray for their forgiveness

With Christ-like humility

Repentant with full meekness

We seek to honor their dignity

Their nations are sovereign

Of their traditions we hope to learn

To honor them we offer them

Indigenous People's Day, in return

Hopefully the choice of instruments honors them, too.  The Native American flute and the RawHide drum.

1. Recognizing that Indigenous Peoples' Day counters Columbus Day:

Columbus: I love the story of Columbus. He fulfilled Book of Mormon prophecy: And I looked and beheld a man among the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many water; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.

—1 Nephi 13:12  Read HERE to know what the Church of Jesus Christ has said about this fulfillment.

2. Some indigenous people fought each other and took each other's land all the time. Some were nonnomadic- meaning they were truly here first. Too much time has passed to make sense of it all.  But, we can learn from the past and we can learn about the people that we dismissed as dangerous to our vision of America.  We don't have a cast system or a monarchy.  We have a Democratic Republic system.  This we can offer them as fellow citizens:

• A democratic republic combines elements of democracy and republicanism.
• Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
• The Constitution serves as the supreme law, protecting individual rights.
• Majority rule is balanced by minority rights to ensure fairness.
• Regular elections allow for accountability and civic participation.
• The separation of powers among branches prevents any one group from gaining too much control.

3. Nonnomadic Indians- They didn't all live in Teepees, traveling the with the seasons.

1. Settled Communities: Non-nomadic Indians established permanent settlements, often in fertile areas. Their homes were built to last- wigwams, longhouses, adobe homes
2. Agricultural Practices: They practiced agriculture, cultivating crops like maize, beans, and squash.
3. Social Structures: These groups developed complex social hierarchies and governance systems.
4. Trade Networks: They engaged in trade with neighboring tribes, exchanging goods and resources.
5. Cultural Development: Non-nomadic Indians created rich cultural traditions, including art, music, and religious practices.
6. Permanent Housing: They built durable homes, such as pueblos or longhouses, reflecting their settled lifestyle.

3, The indigenous people of today consist of over 400 different cultures in the US. 

1. There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S.
2. These tribes have a total of approximately 326 reservations.
3. Reservations vary significantly in size and population.
4. Some tribes have multiple reservations, while others have none.
5. Additionally, there are numerous trust lands held for tribes.
6. The number of tribal lands can change due to legal and political factors.

4. These thoughts came from a You tube comments discussion.  It has stayed with me and caused me to think and wonder.

Dallin-Hoaks- Prayer must always lead us to repentance and righteousness. Where land was taken through violence, deception, or injustice, God’s justice still matters. Scripture teaches that we are accountable for how we treat His children. Seeking forgiveness, making restitution where possible, and honoring Indigenous peoples is not political it is moral. Without repentance and humility, our prayers risk becoming empty words before God.

RosarioVelazquez-c5n Which indigenous people exactly? Don’t you know that indigenous people fought each other and took each other's land all the time? BTW, they are all dead by now. Which people who currently live and own something do you want to take away something that they have acquired lawfully and righteously?