Re: Greetings and Best Wishes to Ricardo Bharath Hernandez and the
Santa Rosa First Peoples Community on First Peoples Day.
The American Developmental Biologist, Bruce Harold Lipton once said
“Through consciousness, our minds have the power to change our planet and
ourselves. It is time we heed the wisdom of the ancient Indigenous People and
channel our consciousness and spirit to tend the garden and not destroy it.”
According to the American Writer, Artist and Social Activist,
Robert Alan Silverstein; “When European explorers 'discovered' lands on the
other continents, there were already people living there. All too often the
explorers took the land away from the native or indigenous peoples and either
killed them or suppressed them. In many cases, the native languages and
cultures were suppressed and the natives were forced to adopt Western ways.
Unfortunately, this isn't just a thing of the past -- many indigenous peoples
and their cultures are still threatened today.”
It is in this context why Waajihatul
Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) stands in gratitude of the First People of this
country on this historical very auspicious occasion. We extend our heartfelt
appreciation and love to Ricardo Bharath Hernandez and the Santa Rosa First
Peoples Community. It is your right to be recognized and it’s our
responsibility to acknowledge. Today we honor you the people who first called
this land home. We remember the struggles and tragedies you endured. We respect
your space and the contributions you all have made as part of the story of this
great land.
The purpose of this holiday is to promote the First Peoples culture and to honor the history of the First
People. To overlook the painful history of colonialism, enslavement,
discrimination and land grabs that followed the Italian explorer’s 1498 arrival
here to our shores. For the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, we agree this
holiday means a lot. You have something and we should also understand this is
the beginning of something greater.
Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) fully supports and
endorses the First Peoples right to maintain and strengthen their distinct
political, economic, social and cultural characteristics, as well as their
legal systems, while retaining their rights to participate fully, if they so
choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.
They should not be considered myths of the past, but rather a people
who wants to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism. Our
Prime Minister, The Honorable Dr. Keith Rowley in October 2016 said: “We must
not ignore those who claim the status of First Peoples in this country.” He
then went on to describe them “as owners of this land before we came…”
For Immediate Release:
Date: October 13, 2017
Umar Abdullah
Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)
Tel: +18687870765 or +18683656253
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