"Northwest Natives rally for Bernie, honor MMIW in front of thousands"
by Micheal Rios, Tulalip News, Feb 26 2020
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By being given a platform to be seen and heard in front of thousands, the Northwest tribes were recognized and empowered at the Bernie Sanders rally. Many onlookers could be seen live-streaming the powerful MMIW song via their social media accounts. Its impossible to know the songs reach at such an event, but the hope is its message and meaning now resonates in the minds of engaged citizens who otherwise wouldnt have a clue about MMIW or its heartfelt impacts on Tribes.
Its a huge honor to help our people heal from broken hearts for those that never made it home, while giving hope to those who might have given up, shared MMIW song composer and Snoqualmie tribal member Antone George. I really wanted this song to have deep feeling and harmony and flow to where our people all over Indian Country would be able to sing it.
We might not ever meet all of the ones that are hoping and praying that their loved one comes home. Theyre not alone with their prayers. Theyre not alone with how theyre feeling, George added, addressing the families of MMIW victims. To be singing here today were letting our non-Native relatives know we are here to be heard. Everything our people have gone through over these hundreds of years to this point, we are still here. Our culture is strong.
By sharing his campaign platform and central rally stage with a clear representation of the areas Native population, Senator Sanders proves he clearly understands that as a public and federal official, he has a responsibility to Tribes. When interacting with any federal officials, it is paramount they be vigilant in understanding their trust responsibilities. No other people in the country do they have that trust responsibility over. Those responsibilities are clearly expressed in the treaties signed by Tribes all over the nation.
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