Earth Day was celebrated worldwide on Wednesday, April 22. Among those celebrating were Indigenous groups who came together on Monday, April 20 at Fresno City College.
The event was led by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA), in the Yokuts Plaza from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Many people spoke about the importance of protecting our earth globally as well as here in the Central Valley.
“Long ago our people walked this earth and we respected it,” Choinumni tribal historian Audrey Osborne said. “Our footprint is everywhere on this land and now, we have to protect it and not destroy it.”
Osborne also discussed a controversial mining project in the Central Valley by a global company called CEMEX, which if its plans to mine on the San Joaquin River go through, has the potential to severely harm the local ecosystem.
Along with speeches being held to commemorate Earth Day, there were ceremonial dances, a drum circle, singing and different stands informing people on resources available to them.
Among the different booths were NAISA’s stand, the NEUM Native American Student Association, UC Merced, Fresno American Indian Health Project, Advocates For Indigenous California Language Survival, Youth Leadership Institute, Owens Valley Career Development Center and Nüümü Yadoha Language Program.
The theme for the event was “When Earth Speaks”. It focused on Indigenous language and how it connects to earth conservation.
“Language is one of the parts of our Indigenous history that has been targeted and erased,” Yamileth Moran said.
Moran, a NAISA member, Nahuat descendant from Cuzcatlan (present-day El Salvador) and FCC student, spoke extensively on Indigenous recognition.
“Engaging in dialogue within Indigenous spaces, in Indigenous languages, is a form of resistance,” Moran said.
Moran, who’s working on a certificate through the ethnic studies program for community change, also spoke on the goals of the event.
“The goal was to showcase the different languages that exist. We’re so different and we’re so rich in our culture,” Moran said.
More Indigenous voices have been amplified in recent years after a long history of discrimination and violence throughout the Americas towards Indigenous peoples that has continued into modern times.
Andres Murillo, another NAISA member, Gabrielino Tongva tribal member, and Theater, Stage and Lighting Design student spoke on local Indigenous communities.
“Being here, all together in this melting pot at FCC, brings awareness that we’re still here. We are all connected and we respect the land,” Murillo said.
Signs highlighting the importance of conservation lined the sidewalk in the plaza, with quotes from venerated figures like Chief Seattle, John Muir and others who fought for environmental protections.
The event started with a flag ceremony where the Indigenous Warriors Flag Group circled the plaza holding different military flags.
Linda Hernandez, a 23-year Army combat support veteran and current FCC student majoring in Chicano Latino studies and Native American studies, took part in the flag ceremony.
“We need to protect our earth. We’re losing our resources,” Hernandez said. “The native way was always to take care of the earth and each other and it’s unfortunate the way things have gotten.”
The event was attended not only by students but by many community members as well, some of them former students.
David Ricardo, a former FCC student, retired Fresno Unified educator and Army veteran, spoke on the importance of supporting our youth through community events.
“Really it’s about cultural awareness and spreading to the youth that they are somebody, that they do make a difference,” Ricardo said. “Be proud of your culture, be proud of who you are.”
Ricardo, who was at FCC for the first ever Earth Day in 1970, did a traditional Native American dance at this year’s ceremony.
This event is one of two major events that NAISA holds every year, with the other being on California Native American Day in September.
