Billy Frank Jr Event 2024

Please Support our brother

I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. 🙏https://gofund.me/391ca1e4

PLEASE SEE UPDATES BELOW for the most current campaign information. 

The A’i Cofán people of Ecuador’s eastern Sucumbios province in the community of Dureno are facing a threat by the state-owned oil company, PetroEcuador. Their land is bordered on the north by the Aguarico River and lies near the oil boom-town of Lago Agrio on Ecuador’s Amazonian frontier. The Cofan are hedged in on all sides by active oil concessions. Their home is the last island of pristine, primary rainforest within miles. Now, PetroEcuador plans to open twelve kilometers of road into their territory from the west, cutting a path up to 60 meters wide to make way for pipelines, electrical cables, and heavy machinery in order to construct and operate three oil platforms and thirty wells right in the heart of their forest.

The company began work on the road in January of 2022, but the A’i Cofán were not properly consulted beforehand. When the people realized what was happening, PetroEcuador had already cleared several kilometers of road. The community organized a group of about 130 members to serve as a territorial guard. Armed with wooden spears, they demanded that the company cease operations and remove their equipment. So far, they have managed to keep the company from resuming its advance.

Since the massive nationwide strike in June 2022, which paralyzed the country for 18 days, about seven families of A’i Cofán have been maintaining a permanent presence to blockade the access road and keep the company out. However, groups of armed forces have come on several occasions to intimidate them and attempt to forcefully remove them in order to let the company enter.

The families in resistance are away from their homes, living in makeshift shelters covered with plastic tarps. They need funds to purchase food, supplies, and materials to improve their shelters and allow them to remain in place until PetroEcuador gives up its plans to drill for oil on their land.

Your help can make a big difference! One U.S. dollar can buy a lot more in Ecuador than it can in the States. The organizers estimate $1,000 is needed per month to sustain the families in resistance. If we raise more, that money will go toward promoting their cause through meetings with government officials and the media (covering transportation costs), and can also help to pay legal fees as the Cofán take their case to court.

Please give what you can, and share this page! Thank you.

In solidarity,

Kayla Jenkins

(I’m an environmental activist who first traveled to the Ecuadorian Amazon in 2003. I recently spent several days with the Cofán and visited the site where they are blocking the oil company from entering their territory.)

Free Leonard Peltier

February 6th Marks 47 years. This Injustice must stop! Free Leonard Peltier
From Auntie Yvonne Swan
“ Leonard is STILL in PRISON–taking the brunt of all the racist colonial hatred aimed at us.”

Woope Omnic’iye

“For us, warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.”
-Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotake)

“Stay the course.”
-Uncle BIlly Frank Jr.
November is American Indian Heritage Month. Happy Veterans Day!

From Chief Arvol Lookinghorse

Orange Shirt Day 2022

Indigenous Peoples Day 2022

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Squaxin Park Oct. 10
Join the Squaxin Island Tribe and the City of Olympia to celebrate Indigenous culture, history, and communities from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. The event will be held at the newly renamed Squaxin Park, 2600 East Bay Drive NE.

“It’s fitting that this year’s celebration will be held at Squaxin Park,” said Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby. “The renaming of the former Priest Point Park and this Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration are exciting steps in the fulfillment of the City’s accord and commitment with the Squaxin Island Tribe to promote a healthy exchange of cultures.”

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. On Tuesday, October 4, the Olympia City Council will be joined by Squaxin Island Tribal Chairman Kris Peters in consideration of a proclamation to recognize the October 10, 2022 holiday.

“This is a powerful and healing day for the Squaxin People. Together we reflect on our rich history, while recognizing the resilience of our people through colonization and assimilation as well as celebrating our strength through self-determination and a strong culture,“ said Peters. “We are honored to celebrate this year’s Indigenous Peoples Day at Squaxin Park and to share this celebration with the local community. This is a testament to the great partnerships that have been created between the City, the local community, and the Squaxin People.”

Parking at Squaxin Park is limited. Attendees are encouraged to carpool, take an Intercity Transit bus, or use a complimentary event shuttle service at the east side of the Olympia Farmer’s Market District parking lot using the identified shuttle parking spaces. The shuttle will run every half hour starting at 11 a.m., with the last shuttle pickup at 2 p.m. Call 360.753.8343 for shuttle details.

Squaxin Park is the new name for the formerly named Priest Point Park. The new name serves to remind the community that this area was home to the Squaxin Island Tribe people for thousands of years before non-tribal residents came to the area. The park is cherished by the Squaxin Island Tribe and Olympia community for its beautiful and restorative natural landscape and amenities.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration attendees can look forward to cultural performances, speakers and educational activities. Families are welcome. For information on future events like this, sign up to receive City of Olympia Diversity, Equity and Inclusion e-newsnotices.

Contact
Olivia Salazar de Breaux, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist
Parts, Arts and Recreation
360.753.8343
osalazar@ci.olympia.wa.us

Chief Arvol Lookinghorse August 2022

Wopila tanka to all those that attended and offered prayers to Wiwang Wac’ipi.

I continue to remind everyone to stay in prayer for the many issues we are facing as an Oyate in your own communities that seem to pull and divide our Oyate.

Don’t pay attention to people that bring hurt to your families – everything goes in a circle – look forward and find good everyday and give thanks for a Positive Unity even if only a small group – these kind of focused intentions are the most healing and powerful.

I know all of us have a hard time with negative hits that is only meant to pull us into more hardships to more fighting and division, but I would ask Oyate that are concerned of what we are facing; to keep looking and focusing on the bigger picture.
We have even more bigger problems we face today that we should pay attention to – the global concerns where countries are talking about Nuclear War – this can hurt all our future.

We as the Oyate need to look forward – we are the Pte Oyate – the Buffalo People – stand proud and face those winds that can affect us all at any given moment.

In a circle of life where there is no ending and no beginning..

Hec’et onipikte (that we shall live).

Nac’a Arvol Looking Horse

Uncle Eddie Little Crow on “Make No Bones About It.” This Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 4pm.

Eddie Little Crow, a Dakota Elder speaks about his language, identity, culture, and various topics of indigenous wisdom.