Indigenous Peoples Day 2021

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ everywhere every day - I offer tobacco to the fire, to the water, to the land, to the wind, to the mountains. Holding my elders close and honoring their teachings sacred.

Four years ago we carried the water we gathered at Cannonball River in Standing Rock to the ceremony at Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Randall’s Island. We lifted Aunty Ladonna and the brave water protectors in our prayers and songs. It was so powerful. The last time we traveled to the Eastern Gates for IPD before the Pandemic hit, Aunty Ladonna was there with us at the water ceremony. When I went to the rivers edge to sing, I looked back and saw her and I couldn’t help myself but cry. I told her that we had brought her sacred waters there and saw soft tears flowing free down her face to the land. I looked up to the sky in gratitude to the ancestors for guiding us together on that very day to offer sacred water to remind the river what it is like to run clean and healthy. I will hold the beauty of that moment in my heart for all of my days. What a beautiful life.

This year on this day, I offer sacred wai to our ‘ahu in honor of Aunty Ladonna, who I know will forever protect the land, the water, and the people.

Mni wiconi
Water is life
Ola Ka Wai