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Honoring Indigenous Peoples day

On the second Monday of October, Americans celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day as a federal holiday. Across the country, cities heeded the call from indigenous activists to stop celebrating the Italian navigator Cristopher Columbus. There is a growing discussion on indigeneity, genocide, and geopolitics over the past year. This Indigenous Peoples Day feels especially somber with climate change, genocide, and right-wing extremism on the rise. Read the full article to learn more about how we can support Indigenous Peoples where we live and globally. 

"We are what we imagine. Our very existence consists in our imagination of ourselves. Our best destiny is to imagine, at least, completely, who and what, and that we are. The greatest tragedy that can befall us is to go unimagined" -Scott Momaday

At MuslimARC, we honor Indigenous peoples globally,  past, present, and future. We acknowledge those who have continuing presence in their homelands and those who have been displaced and and are in diaspora. We uplift the contributions Indigenous Peoples offer and center their leadership in climate justice, democracy, gender justice, and food security. Read the full post for tips on honoring Indigenous Peoples Day. The UN website "Indigenous Peoples: Respect not Dehumanization" states:

“Indigenous peoples have in common a historical continuity with a given region prior to colonization and a strong link to their lands. They maintain, at least in part, distinct social, economic and political systems. They have distinct languages, cultures, beliefs and knowledge systems. They are determined to maintain and develop their identity and distinct institutions and they form a non-dominant sector of society.” 

Some quick facts

  • Indigenous is a legal term and a group identity. 

  • There are 476.6 million Indigenous peoples globally and 50 million with an Indigenous designation in Africa, including Nubia, Haratine, Amizigh and Nuba. 

  • Indigenous people are survivors of genocide, erasure, and forced acculturation.  

  • Nations violate indigenous peoples’ human rights, leading to disparities in education, health, and housing. 

  • Indigenous peoples manage half the world’s land and 80% of the world’s biodiversity. 

  • They are three times as likely to live in extreme poverty. 

How to Act Now

  • Avoid cultural appropriation and remove harmful stereotypes from your vocabulary.

  • Appreciate the vast diversity of Indigenous Peoples globally by learning their history and cultural practices.

  • Understand the history and root causes of problems that affect Indigenous Peoples.

  • Follow and support Indigenous activists addressing violence against women, climate justice, food, and democracy.

Resources

NDN Collective

Four Rs Youth Movement

Cultural Survival Minority Rights Group

The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs

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Heartbroken by the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego during one of the holiest times of the Islamic year, our prayers are with the victims, their families, the injured, and the entire San Diego Muslim community.

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Yesterday’s attack marks another painful reminder of the growing threat of hate-fueled violence targeting sacred spaces and marginalized communities.

Our Next Chapter

MuslimARC is entering a new chapter.

For over a decade, this work has been built by a community. From our founding in 2014, through the leadership of Margari Hill and co-founder Namira Islam, to the AMEL and AMAL fellows, partners, volunteers, and supporters who shaped this organization along the way.

This work has always been collective.

More — ReMARC

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