Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 6, 1 June 2003 — National forum a boost to native efforts based on eommon vision and spirit [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

National forum a boost to native efforts based on eommon vision and spirit

Aloha nui e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino. On May 13, a national forum on the goals and aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples of the United States was convened at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Indigenous peoples — American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Chamorros and Samoans gathered in eommon vision and spirit "to enahle greater self-determination for Alaska Natives, American Indians and Native Hawaiians; to provide overview of Native issues related to health, education and the economy; and to share best practices in the areas of health, education and the economy". The following are my remarks as delivered on behalf of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a co-sponsor to this national forum. "American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians and native people of the Pacific, the indigenous peoples of the land now known as the United States, are nohle and honorable people who, impacted by decades of domination by a foreign culture, very nearly witnessed an historic and final demise of cultural and spiritual tradition. If not for the courage, sac-

rifice, struggle and resolve of our ancestors, we would simply be "history." Because of our elders and generations before us, the Native Peoples in all 50 States and in the Pacific are emerging in this, the 21st century, as a dynamic, credible and powerful political and eeonomie force that established governmental institutions of the United States must address, as the momentum of indigenous people is heightened. It is truly an honor and privilege for me, as chairperson of the nine-member Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the only body elected by the people of Hawai'i to represent the interests of Native Hawaiians, to stand before you today, alongside our brother and sister Native organizations, to weleome you to this important forum. During the next two days, we will celebrate the role we, the indigenous people of this America, play in developing and implementing successful programs whieh seek to strengthen our families and eommunities. In addition, I believe we all will clearly demonstrate that, while we are willing in many respects to enhanee the democratic process of American society — it is a clear sign of the times — that our

native communities are more than willing, and able, to step forward, take destiny into our own hands and design our collective future. Presentations today and tomorrow will highlight native programs in three critical arenas: eeonomie development, education and health care - whieh in combination are critical elements to promote the well-being and quality of life in our native community. These "best practices" employ techniques, methods, and procedures whieh apply the experiences and traditions of Native cultures in a manner eonsistent with the context and technology of the 21st century. The programs you will hear about at this conference will tell the story of victory over depression seeded by decades of hopelessness and despair. In fact, these exceptional programs, these programs by and for indigenous people, will inspire increasing aspiration for collective success. We will also urge policymakers in Washington, D. C., and in state capitols around the country, to re-think governmental policies whieh discourage and impede the initiative and ability of the indigenous community to address their social and eeonomie difficulties.

The approaches we advocate, though foreign to mainstream America, are grounded on culture, traditions, spiritual and societal practices of our Peoples. Hawai'i Governor Linda Lingle recently testified before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in support of S. 344, the Akaka-Inouye-Reid-Stevens Bill for Native Hawaiian Recognition. In a recent bill signing at the Hawai'i State Capitol, Governor Lingle said, 'As Native Hawaiians go, so goes Hawai'i.'I expand on her astute comment, and say, 'As indigenous people of this nation achieve self-determination, the United States is strengthened.' "In closing, I eall on all native peoples of the United States of America, together in spirit, together in vision, together in mission - American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians and indigenous people of the Pacific - to stand firm to resist injustice and steadfastly support that whieh is right, with similar courage, sacrifice and resolve passed down to us by our ancestors. "Kū 'ē au i ka hewa, kū 'ē! Kū au i ka pono, kū!" 31/48 ■

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Haunani Apoliona, MSW Trustee, At-large