Issues: Native American Advocacy

Quakers Join in American Indian Museum Celebration as Long-Time Ally
Historic Ally Urges Congress to Honor Its Promises

	Young Native Americans participate in the festivities.

An FCNL statement on the occasion of the opening of he National Museum of American Indians and the week-long First Americans Festival.

“This is a time for all U. S. citizens to take pride in the accomplishments of Native Americans. Indian Nations are part of our country—not as ancient history but as living communities. These tribes deserve our respect for their strength, spirituality, and dignity. Remarkably they have survived. Now they deserve to thrive. Yet, a quarter of American Indians and Alaska Natives still live in poverty. Federal human needs programs are under-funded and trust fund monies go unpaid. The first Americans deserve better. We will work with them to pass important federal legislation. In solidarity with tribes, Quakers will continue to ask the federal government to honor the promises it made through treaties and laws.”

Activities of Friends Committee on National Legislation during this important week.

This week faith based groups have held receptions, walked in the procession, attended festivities and ceremonies, and turned out for rallies in Washington, D.C. to honor indigenous people throughout the Western Hemisphere who came for the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian. Staff from Friends Committee on National Legislation attended Hill briefings, press lunches, and brought a large group to the rally organized by the National Congress on American Indians on September 22, 2004. The theme of the rally was “Living Cultures, Thriving Governments” and was designed to bring public attention to key political issues facing contemporary native peoples who live in the U.S.

FCNL signs saying “Honor the Promises” on one side and “Quakers support native rights” on the other side have been omnipresent. A number of native news operations asked to interview non-natives who believe in honoring treaties and trust obligations and in self-determination and rights for today’s Native Americans. They wanted to know more about how a historic friendship was established.

Establishing Trust Over Time, Starting in the Colonial Period

Quakers and Native Nations established a relationship hundreds of years ago when Quakers honored treaties they signed. William Penn, the Quaker founder of the state of Pennsylvania, believed that learning cultural ways would create peace and trust, as would fair dealings with tribes. In governing Pennsylvania, for example, Penn required that in a dispute between a native person and a settler, the trial must include six native jurists. Penn learned the Lenni Lenape or Delaware language and was given a wampum belt by tribal leaders.

Quakers have attempted to maintain a respectful relationship with American Indians through face-to-face gatherings, a long-term commitment, and shared pursuits. The Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has had an Indian Committee since 1795. The American Friends Service Committee has a Native American/Native Peoples Task Force and runs local programs. Friends Committee on National Legislation pays for a full-time staff person to work on policy issues at the national level. That work is pursued through consultation and networking with Native American organizations, educational outreach, and policy research.

Contemporary Lobbying

In 1974, Nebraska Quakers sold a field of yellow corn to raise money to employ a Friend-in-Washington on Native American Affairs within the Friends Committee on National Legislation office. For 30 years, Quaker lobbyists have taken their lead from Native Americans themselves and have worked in conjunction with tribes and national American Indian organizations. Today, FCNL funds a Native American Advocacy Program that focuses on the fulfillment of federal trust responsibilities and self-determination for tribal communities.

FCNL staff lobby on the Hill for issues of great concern to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. FCNL publishes a quarterly newsletter called the Indian Report and maintains a web site (www.fcnl.org) that contains issue information. FCNL also sends out Native American Legislative Updates to people whose religious and moral beliefs lead them to write letters to Congress on behalf of the First Americans.

Pictures of A Week of Celebration and Advocacy

The attached pictures, taken by FCNL intern Adam Klepper, show (a) the striking variety of indigenous cultures, (b) the excitement of a week to remember, and (c) FCNL’s ongoing commitment to social justice.

	Quakers joined with Native Americans from around the country asking the U.S. government to honor its treaty obligations.

	Executive Secretary Joe Volk of FCNL and Jim Matlack of American Friends Service Committee rally to support Native rights.

	Tex Hall, President of the National Congress of American Indians, addresses supporters and the media. In his speech, Mr. Hall recognized the Quaker presence at the rally.

	Jackie Johnson from National Congress of American Indians, next to Senator Byron Dorgan (ND), urges the crowd to vote on November 2nd.

	FCNL's young people at the rally.

	Ned Stowe, Mark Jacobson and FCNL support Native Rights in the shadow of the Capitol.

	Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) addresses the rally about the importance of protecting tribal sovereignty.

	The traditional headress of an Indian Nation from the Pacific Northwest.

	Quakers and other observers cheer on procession participants

	The procession was punctuated by clothing, drumming, songs, and dancing.