© Paul_Sch via FlickrNative American Heritage Month is drawing to a close, but the important events are still continuing. Yesterday, a handful of former activists who called themselves "Indians of All Tribes" and their supporters returned to Alcatraz Island to commemorate a significant event.
On the night of Nov. 20, 1969, the Indians of All Tribes pulled ashore on Alcatraz in two rented boats. For 19 months, the activists remained on the island until removed in June 1971. Crossing racial lines, the demands were the establishment of an Indian university on the island. It never happened.
"This is a significant day for the island," said Howard Levitt, chief of education for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. "The occupation is considered to be a milestone in the self-determination and civil rights movements. We honor that."
On Saturday, the island was full of dancers, refreshments, and even free ferry rides provided by the Park Service.
"A lot of important things happened 40 years ago, everything from Woodstock to Sesame Street," stated Lorenzo Baca, an artist-activist. "We needed to mark that, and also bring attention that we're still out there and still struggling."
Milestones are an important concept to honor. Many think that because the high drama of communal liberation is in the past, that the consciousness it inspired is too. When we pause to think, though, it’s clear that isn’t true.
Dropped out of SF State to be with the “tribes” and that winter taught me more than any school ever could. Looking back is great but seeing casinos on rez land gives me mixed feelings. Pray for the Oakes family for all they went through. I helped carry Richard’s daughter, Yvonne, from the stairwell to the dock. Never forget how the Coast Guard did not want to take her to the hospital! They could have helped her live… may the peace continue to grow from 40 yrs. ago and the treaty rights live on.