By
Robert DesJarlait
Robert DesJarlait
Signs at OIC / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Cherish The Children Eagle Staff / Photo by JR Bobick
Ira Jourdain - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Tall Paul - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Mike Forcia - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Jase Roe - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Mic Jordan - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Shannon Edberg - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Ivy Vainio
JR Bobick - Peoples March Speaker Rally / Photo by Wiromm Sillyhorse Bimblsauk
Speaking at American Indian OIC / Photo by Ivy Vainio
American Indian OIC / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Rally Talk at OIC / Photo by Wiromm Sillyhorse Bimblsauk
The Rally / Photo by Wiromm Sillyhorse Bimblsauk
Jason Elias rallying the marchers
Jesse Ventura at the Peoples Rally and March / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Crossing Franklin and Cedar / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Taking it to the streets on Cedar Avenue / Photo by Tall Paul
Under the I-94 Overpass / Photo by Ivy Vainio
The Peoples March begins on Cedar Avenue / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Cedar Avenue / Photo by James Autio
Riverside Avenue / Photo by Francesca Wiyaka Luta
Riverside / Photo by Sacred Visions Photography LLC
Taking it to the streets with the Cherish The Children Eagle Staff / Photo by Ivy Vainio
We did it. Even after being told we couldn't do it, we did it. We were 1400+ strong and no one can take that away from us. Of course, our number added to the overall number of protesters attending the event. As with any large event, the total number varies. In this case, the media and police placed to number at 3500-4000; event organizers placed the number at 5000. Given the numbers, our march, which we called the Peoples March, brought in from one-third to nearly half of the number of those who protested against Dan Snyder and his team.
But why the Peoples March? Why reference what was essentially the second wave of marchers as the Peoples March? We chose that term because of politics from certain quarters seemed hellbent to discredit "the OIC march" and chose to intimidate and marginalize our efforts. So we chose to create our own identity.
We refused to be intimidated. We refused to be marginalized. Some of the larger groups helped us out. The National Congress of American Indians donated their Refuse, Rethink, Rename t-shirts to our group. Change The Mascots provided us with us with some of their signs. And we showed we didn't need the glamor, we didn't need the glitter, we didn't need academic speakers or politicians. We didn't need the National Coalition Against Racism and Sports to speak for us or represent us. We represented ourselves. When we marched into the TCF Bank stadium, we were like Zapata riding into Mexico City. Even after the rumors were spread last night that our march - the Peoples March - was going to be in violation of city ordinances and people would be arrested and people were discouraged from joining the "OIC march," the people nevertheless came and marched. We marched down the streets, without a permit, escorted by the Minneapolis Police Department. We took it to the streets and 1400+ strong were seen and heard. Some people tried to marginalize us and undermine our effort, but you can't marginalize a community nor undermine a community that wants to be heard. Most importantly, this march wasn't about organizations - it was about the people.
The turnout for the Peoples March was impressive. At the rally held at American Indian OIC, approximately 200-300 people had gathered. But once the march hit the streets, the ranks of the marchers grew as more and more people joined the march. By the time we reached the last stretch of the march on University Avenue, the marchers numbered 1400 or more. But what was striking was the diversity of the marchers - both Natives and non-Natives united in a common cause. We had become One Drum, Many Singers - a community united together to speak out and march against what was essentially a violation of civil rights that was generated by discriminatory images evoked by Dan Snyder and his team.
When we did converge, we converged with several thousand. None of the grassroots organizations that organized the Peoples March were invited to speak.on the main stage. But I think I speak for the other organizers when I say that we really didn't care that we were marginalized from speaking on the grand stand. We had accomplished our goal of bringing people to the rally at TCF Bank stadium. Although there were difficulties and division leading up to the march and rally, we did share a common goal of bringing awareness of the mascot issue to the national media and sending a message to Dan Snyder.
Although we were turned away from the main stage, our organizers moved over to the TCF Tribal Plaza. Our speakers were heard and entertainment was provided. Thus, the agenda we set out for ourselves when we first began organizing our march was fulfilled.
As it turned out, the media found me. I found a spot to sit and rest. I was worn down. The walk across the bridge took a lot out of me. When we reached University Avenue, I had to turn my eagle staff over and slow down. My internal warning system was starting to flash red for caution. I could have easily rode the rest of the way in one of our escort vehicles, but I didn't want to do that because I wanted to finish the march. Once we reached the stadium and the rally, I sat down and the media converged on me for interviews - Washington Post, CBS, NBC, Fox, and several Native news sources.
One of the things I talked about was my regalia. My regalia was the message. I talked about how everything I wore had meaning to it. It wasn't to play at being Native or to honor a so-called vanished past. I spoke about eagle feathers and that eagle feathers are sacred to us. We have origin stories about the sacredness of eagle feathers. And that I was offended whenever I saw Washington fans in their fake headdresses - and such headdresses were an affront and mockery of our cultures. Our feathers are not from a dead past - but it is part of a living culture and one that we honor and celebrate today.
But why the Peoples March? Why reference what was essentially the second wave of marchers as the Peoples March? We chose that term because of politics from certain quarters seemed hellbent to discredit "the OIC march" and chose to intimidate and marginalize our efforts. So we chose to create our own identity.
We refused to be intimidated. We refused to be marginalized. Some of the larger groups helped us out. The National Congress of American Indians donated their Refuse, Rethink, Rename t-shirts to our group. Change The Mascots provided us with us with some of their signs. And we showed we didn't need the glamor, we didn't need the glitter, we didn't need academic speakers or politicians. We didn't need the National Coalition Against Racism and Sports to speak for us or represent us. We represented ourselves. When we marched into the TCF Bank stadium, we were like Zapata riding into Mexico City. Even after the rumors were spread last night that our march - the Peoples March - was going to be in violation of city ordinances and people would be arrested and people were discouraged from joining the "OIC march," the people nevertheless came and marched. We marched down the streets, without a permit, escorted by the Minneapolis Police Department. We took it to the streets and 1400+ strong were seen and heard. Some people tried to marginalize us and undermine our effort, but you can't marginalize a community nor undermine a community that wants to be heard. Most importantly, this march wasn't about organizations - it was about the people.
The turnout for the Peoples March was impressive. At the rally held at American Indian OIC, approximately 200-300 people had gathered. But once the march hit the streets, the ranks of the marchers grew as more and more people joined the march. By the time we reached the last stretch of the march on University Avenue, the marchers numbered 1400 or more. But what was striking was the diversity of the marchers - both Natives and non-Natives united in a common cause. We had become One Drum, Many Singers - a community united together to speak out and march against what was essentially a violation of civil rights that was generated by discriminatory images evoked by Dan Snyder and his team.
When we did converge, we converged with several thousand. None of the grassroots organizations that organized the Peoples March were invited to speak.on the main stage. But I think I speak for the other organizers when I say that we really didn't care that we were marginalized from speaking on the grand stand. We had accomplished our goal of bringing people to the rally at TCF Bank stadium. Although there were difficulties and division leading up to the march and rally, we did share a common goal of bringing awareness of the mascot issue to the national media and sending a message to Dan Snyder.
Although we were turned away from the main stage, our organizers moved over to the TCF Tribal Plaza. Our speakers were heard and entertainment was provided. Thus, the agenda we set out for ourselves when we first began organizing our march was fulfilled.
As it turned out, the media found me. I found a spot to sit and rest. I was worn down. The walk across the bridge took a lot out of me. When we reached University Avenue, I had to turn my eagle staff over and slow down. My internal warning system was starting to flash red for caution. I could have easily rode the rest of the way in one of our escort vehicles, but I didn't want to do that because I wanted to finish the march. Once we reached the stadium and the rally, I sat down and the media converged on me for interviews - Washington Post, CBS, NBC, Fox, and several Native news sources.
One of the things I talked about was my regalia. My regalia was the message. I talked about how everything I wore had meaning to it. It wasn't to play at being Native or to honor a so-called vanished past. I spoke about eagle feathers and that eagle feathers are sacred to us. We have origin stories about the sacredness of eagle feathers. And that I was offended whenever I saw Washington fans in their fake headdresses - and such headdresses were an affront and mockery of our cultures. Our feathers are not from a dead past - but it is part of a living culture and one that we honor and celebrate today.
The Peoples March Video by McKenna Ewen/Washington Post
Overhead of the Peoples March on 19th Avenue / Photo by WCCO
On the move / Photo by Francesca Wiyaka Luta
Crossing the 10th Ave. Bridge / Photo by Virgil Sohm
The Bridge / Photo by Jim Rosenau
We are NOT your damn mascot, Snyder / Photo by Ivy Vainio
University Avenue / Photo by Francesca Wiyaka Luta
After we crossed onto University Ave., I hopped on the side of Jason Elias' pick up to take a break. Jason said: "How many." I said: "At least a thousand." Then I looked again and I couldn't see the end of the marchers, so I said to Jason: "Better make that 1400."
In the homestretch - University Avenue / Photo by Ivy Vainio
Interviews with Washington Post, NBC, CBS, Fox, and several Native news sources / Photo by Andrea Carlson
Speaking at TCF Bank Tribal Plaza / Photo by JR Bobick
As I mentioned, there was a certain amount of division and, indeed, factionalism among certain people and certain organizations leading up to the march and rally. And I have a difficult time understanding this since we shared a common goal. No one should be denied their voices, visibility, and vision. When our group began organizing efforts, I came up with a motto - "Bezhig Dewe'igan, Niibowa-Negamowaad" (One Drum, Many Singers). And I intended it to be inclusive of all the many different groups who mobilized for November 2. Collectively we are one drum who share a goal, and we are many singers who speak on the common issue of mascots and stereotypes. Yet it is obvious to me that an important principal has been overlooked - gichitwaawenindiwin (respect). If we are to overcome our common struggles, we must respect one another, overlook our differences, and understand that we each bring something to the circle.
Ultimately, I hope there is a day when we can overcome internal differences and factionalism that seems to underscore our efforts to overcome the stereotypes that all of us seek an end to. When I was speaking at American Indian OIC before the march, I was looking down and over the crowd, and I was looking at the children who were there to march with us. And I thought that some day these children will be parents, and they will tell their own children about the day they marched through the streets with thousands of people. And when their children ask why, they will say: "Because there was a time when white people made fun of us. They dressed up in phony eagle feathers, wore war paint, and yelled and whopped for their football team. But on that day when I marched with all those other children and adults, was the day when the ending began and you, my beautiful child, don't have to live in a world that mocks your culture."
Chi-miigwech to all those who came and walked the streets with us. Together we made it happen.
Ultimately, I hope there is a day when we can overcome internal differences and factionalism that seems to underscore our efforts to overcome the stereotypes that all of us seek an end to. When I was speaking at American Indian OIC before the march, I was looking down and over the crowd, and I was looking at the children who were there to march with us. And I thought that some day these children will be parents, and they will tell their own children about the day they marched through the streets with thousands of people. And when their children ask why, they will say: "Because there was a time when white people made fun of us. They dressed up in phony eagle feathers, wore war paint, and yelled and whopped for their football team. But on that day when I marched with all those other children and adults, was the day when the ending began and you, my beautiful child, don't have to live in a world that mocks your culture."
Chi-miigwech to all those who came and walked the streets with us. Together we made it happen.
Abinoojiiyag at the Peoples March / Photos by Ivy Vainio
Photo by Francesca Wiyaka Luta
I want to personally say chi-mii'gwech for all the beautiful people - our elders, community leaders, parents, youth, and children - who participated in the Peoples March. And I want to especially say chi-mii'gwech to all the photographers who helped to document our march. This particular march covered with much more depth via photographs than the other marches of Nov. 2. There are literally hundreds of photographs that document the Peoples March. In closing, a very special mii'gwech to Ivy Vainio - who is always there to tell our stories through her great photographs.
Ivy by James Autio
© Article, Robert DesJarlait, 2014
©Reproduction of photographs are copyrighted by the individual photographers.
©Reproduction of photographs are copyrighted by the individual photographers.
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