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Indigenous Peoples Day NYC
 

Randall's Island October 7-9, 2023

 "For about nine years we’ve been coming to Randall's Island to recognize that on our own and celebrate that resilience." - Chennae Bullock, Shinnecock Nation

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Round Dance Song

“That drum that they are hitting on, that drum beat that you hear represents the heartbeat of the mother earth and that is what we dance to. Not that drum beat that you hear when you go to the football games. That’s made up in Hollywood and it means nothing to us. Absolutely nothing.” - Saponi, Tuscarora Nation

Youngblood Singers

The northern drum group, Youngblood Singers, was formed in 1984. The majority of the members are Shinnecock, with some Cherokee and Ojibway also represented. They have travelled the world perfoming songs that originate from Cherokee and Shinnecock languages. 

"What could they not destroy? They tried to destroy everything, they did. They did, but they weren't successful. The one thing that they couldn't destroy was our language." -  Kalpulli Huehuetlatolli Aztec Dance and Drumming group leader

“What we’re doing is something that's very ancient, we're trying to restore the balance. We’re trying to do things that we’ve been taught. And there is resistance against that, and sometimes our lives are dependent upon that, and sometimes fear is placed around you to stop you, but you have to continue to do those things.”

- Chenae Bullock, Shinnecock Nation

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