First Nations Celebrate the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem
Up to two hundred First Nations chiefs, grand chiefs and tribal leaders met at the Muckleshoot Reservation to celebrate the recent opening of the Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem and to meet the directors of the embassy, Hon Alfred Ngaro and Dr Sheree Trotter.
Tribal leaders from Metis/Algonquin, Carrier-Sekani, Coast-Selich, Ojibwe, Inuit, Cree, Haida, Apache, Cree Mohawk, Hopi, Cowichan, Lakota and Piaute gathered, along with representatives from South Africa, Hawaii, Tahiti, Chinese, Fijian, Kenya, Taiwainese, Mexican and Borneo.
The summit was a celebration of indigenous culture, beginning with a grand opening ceremony. The three day convocation was filled with song, dance, drumming and music, displays of indigenous arts and crafts, along with protocol ceremonies, talks and discussion.
Grand Chief Lynda Prince was appointed the envoy for Turtle island and honoured with a traditional Māori ceremony by young Māori leaders Tawhiri Littlejohn and Shaquila Buckley.
Guest speaker, Melodie Greyeyes, member of Muskeg Lake Cree nation, stated, “The sound of the 120 drums by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people for the First of the First Nations, Israel, was a heavenly declaration that ‘now is the time for the Indigenous voice to be heard standing with Israel!’ The establishment of the IEJ is a physical manifestation of the open gate and welcome by Israel to foster meaningful relationship. I am excited to be alive at this time to stand with Israel”.
Southern Africa’s Regent Xamī of the Khoi Kingdom stated in his speech that that indigenous tribes should be intentional about their growth. “The Tribal leaders have a duty and honour to expand their customs and influence”.
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno commented on the uniqueness of the embassy being indigenous, that it not just for one group, or one continent.
“It’s an opportunity to create a hybrid of how traditional embassies operate. It can be a model of working cross culturally, in a way that is not affected by borders, even continents. We can make that work. We’re in an age of technology, which supports a multidimensional aspect of life. Our worldview incorporates all aspects of life.”
Yesno also joined the IEJ delegation who attended the rally in Toronto where 50 thousand people marched in solidarity with the Jewish community, which had recently been subject to a spate of antisemitic attacks.
Yesno commented,
“I needed to show up, to show the public that we were standing with Israel.
I was motivated by the appreciation of many people that came by just to say thank you. Others were crying. Just the fact that we were there. I had my headdress, which was given to me as a leader. I wanted to demonstrate to the Jewish people and to Israel, I was not going to be silent anymore.”
