39th NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING Thursday, November 27, 2007 12 Noon - Cole’s Hill (the hill above Plymouth Rock) Plymouth, MA For More Information Contact: 2008 National Day of Mourning Flyer |
Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning onthe US thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers. Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience. |
ORIENTATION FOR 2008 NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
WHAT IS NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING?
An annual tradition since 1970, Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast
from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after Day of Mourning so
that participants in DOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our
peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in political
action. Over the years, participants in Day of Mourning have buried Plymouth Rock a number of times,
boarded the Mayflower replica, and placed ku klux klan sheets on the statue of William Bradford, etc.
WHEN AND WHERE IS DAY OF MOURNING?
Thursday, November 27, 2008 (U.S. "thanksgiving" day) at Cole's Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon
SHARP. Cole's Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area.
WILL THERE BE A MARCH?
There will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth has agreed, as part of the settlement
of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the
town advance notice.
PROGRAM: Although we very much welcome our non-Native allies to stand with us at NDOM, it is a day
when Native people only speak about our history and what is going on with us now and the struggles that are
taking place throughout the Americas. Speakers will be by invitation only. This year's NDOM is once again
dedicated to our brother Leonard Peltier.
SOCIAL: There will be a social held after the National Day of Mourning speak-out and march this year. It is
possible that the hall that we have obtained is not large enough to seat everyone at once. We may have to do
two seatings. Preference for the first seating will be given to Elders, children and their mother/caretaker,
pregnant women, Disabled people, and people who have traveled a long distance to join National Day of
Mourning. Please respect our culture and our wish to ensure that these guests will be the first to be able to sit
and eat. With this understanding in mind, please bring non-alcoholic beverages, desserts, fresh fruit &
vegetables, and pre-cooked items (turkeys, hams, stuffing, vegetables, casseroles, rice & beans, etc.) that can
be easily re-warmed at the social hall. Thank you.
TRANSPORTATION: Limited carpool transportation may be available from Boston. Contact the Boston IAC
Office at (617) 522-6626. There is transportation from New York City via the International Action Center, for
more information call 212-633-6646.
Directions: National Day of Mourning is held by the statue of Massasoit at Cole's Hill. Cole's Hill is the hill
rising above Plymouth Rock on the Plymouth waterfront. If you need directions, use Water Street and Leyden
Street in Plymouth, MA as your destination at mapquest.com. That will bring you to within a few hundred feet of
Plymouth Rock and Cole's Hill. You can probably find a place to park down on Water Street.
Donations: Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Please make checks payable to the Metacom
Education Project and mail to Metacom Education Project/UAINE at 284 Amory Street, Boston, MA 02130.
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