By Amanda Moses
On October 9th, hundreds of New Yorkers visited Randall’s Island Park to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the Red Hawk Native American Arts Council at Lanapehoking through traditional songs, dances, and storytelling.
The 9th annual celebration saw dozens of Native American vendors selling handwoven clothing, dreamcatchers, turquoise jewelry, flutes and other items created by the indigenous community. Surrounded by tepee structures, and a small fire and drums, the event underscored Native American culture, and that indigenous people will continue to stand strong and be resilient.
In the morning, several individuals gathered around the Harlem River water bank where they participated in the annual water blessing. According to Netooeusqua, every day is Indigenous Peoples’ Day and water is a symbol of life and that it flows through every part of the world connecting us to the earth. Netooeusqua stressed that it is important to protect and fight for clean water.
“Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day is emotional because we are finally taking that moment to grieve the traumatic events that have occurred in our generation since Columbus arrived,” Netooeusqua said.
Taboo Nawasha, also known as Jaime Luis Gomez from the Black-Eyed Peas, is a staunch supporter of Indigenous culture. Having been on the frontlines of many protests, including Standing Rock, Taboo says that his appreciation for his Mexican American and Shoshone and Hopi heritage began with his grandmother. She instilled in him the importance of appreciating his Native American and Mexican American linage and encouraged him to use his voice to support those in need.
That very same day of the commemoration ceremony, Taboo Nawasha flew from Mexico while on a Black Eyed Peas tour to show his support for the Red Hawk Native American Arts Council’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day gathering.
“The blessing of being able to travel the world as a Black Eyed Pea and bring music to the world, and now to shine a light on something that I am passionate about and something that inspires me, something that is very innate in my DNA, which is to highlight Indigenous communities,” Taboo Nawasha said. “This is my grandmother’s calling and now it is my calling. She was my superhero so when I speak about that I speak with love, I speak with passion and ultimate understanding because I understand my calling and that is to be of service to Indigenous communities.”
For Cliff Matias, the founder of the RedHawk Native American Arts Council’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, having Taboo Nawasha at the event sends a message of solidarity and further exemplifies the unity and strength of the Indigenous community.
“To have my brother here at my side, helping all this happen is powerful,” Matias said. “He took time out of his schedule to get here…he came here to add his voice, to add his presence and to stand as allies with all of us. That’s speaks volumes.”
The day continued with traditional dance performances, discussions on Native culture and more. Organizers and participants also stressed the need for the government to sign an official decree officially marking the date as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Photos by Amanda Moses
