Families celebrate Indigenous People’s Day

“It is very good to celebrate our culture, art, in all languages, the memory of our ancestors above all,” said Ximena Marclla.

Ximena, along with her husband and children, is one of dozens of families who enjoyed Indigenous People’s Day on Randall’s Island.

Ximena and Euclides are Quechua Quisapincha nationalities in Ecuador and say they want their children to keep their culture alive.

“It is in our hands to educate ourselves, our children, that we belong to your culture,” said Euclides Muncha.

“Let them celebrate where they are from, know that we are indigenous, we belong to people,” Ximena said.

With various cultural shows, crafts, food and other activities, the Indigenous People’s Day Committee celebrated the tenth edition of the event that brings together indigenous groups from around the world.

“And it will also give a bit of context to the history of Columbus and the meeting of the indigenous people and the meeting with the Europeans,” said Roberto Múkaro Borrero, president of the Guainia Tribe and founder of the event.

Finding recognition in New York as a reminder of the history and different expressions of the first indigenous settlers before the settlement.

Sicanni

“We want to change the day from ‘Columbus Day’ to ‘Indigenous Day’, it’s very difficult because you’re fighting against the tide but we’re trying,” said Sicanni, a Peruvian musician and organizer.

Guainia’s group demonstrated natural healing methods.

“These are some of the most important moments for youth and also for our community to see that we all have the ability to learn from nature,” said Guazabara Rivera, Indigenous Group iue keteke Guainía.

The 24-hour celebration starts at noon on Sunday with dancing that lasts until sunset and on Monday the 14th, at 7 am, the organizers will have a rain ceremony.

The initiative will be led by renowned defender of the environment and Hawaiian culture Pua Case, who prays for all the waters of the earth.

The intention of the organizers is to change the narrative of the celebration of Christopher Columbus and to celebrate the suffering of the indigenous people so that they can continue to do cultural events throughout the year.

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