Nov 27, 2018 - Why I March: S.A. Lawrence-Welch ‘We Only Have Each Other’
On January 18 2019, Indigenous peoples from across the world will be uniting in Washington D.C. to stand together to bring awareness to the injustices affecting Indigenous men, women and children.
In the lead up to the historic event, Last Real Indians will be featuring individuals involved with the Indigenous Peoples March.
LRI editor Matt Remle recently spoke with Sarah Amalia Lawrence-Welch(Plains Cree/Métis) about the march, issues she hopes to high-light and why it is important for Indigenous peoples to show unity.
Tell us about the Indigenous Peoples March?
The Indigenous Peoples March is a collective of First Peoples from around the world who have felt the impact of colonialism, and have suffered the entitlement and righteousness of others. It is an unapologetic push to gain back our fundamental rights.
What issues will you be high-lighting at the march and how can people support that issue/s?
In the flagship post for the #whyimarch/#ipmdc19 campaign, I specified that there’s an estimated 6000 children that never made it back home from residential schools. Every year, more graves are discovered and more tracks are being covered. We need to give families closure and the tools to heal from within. I support “Legacy of Hope Foundation” as they push through the ground, educating and advocating for those affected by one of the greatest attempts at cultural genocide in history. You can learn more and donate to them via their website at: http://legacyofhope.ca/
Why is it important for indigenous peoples to show unity?
When all is said and all is done – we only have each other. We are each others best advocates and allies.
Why will you be in the streets 1/18?
Not only will I be in the streets to hold up the voices of my Indigenous relatives from around the world. I will be advocating for those who have lost loved ones at the hands of arrogance veiled by so called “good intentions.” I will march for those 6000 children, whose names need to be said out loud. I will march for their families who never got to say goodbye – who never got closure. I will march for those who have lost loved ones long before they died due to their experiences at residential schools. But above all, I march for nôhtâwiy, because his story has to be told.
S.A. Lawrence-Welch is a Plains Cree/Métis artist, activist and speaker. She grew up in the mountains of Alberta, Canada – and currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Her main focus of work and art is on the lasting damage The Residential School System left on the Indigenous population of Canada. Her goal is to reconnect people with their culture, and begin the process of healing through community building. She advocates for those who suffer from intergenerational trauma – and educates those who are ignorant to it. Her philosophy is “reparations instead of reconciliation”.
For more information on the Indigenous Peoples March go here
Follow on Instagram here #whyimarch #ipmdc19
by Wakíƞyaƞ Waánataƞ (Matt Remle)
Matt Remle (Lakota) is an editor and writer for Last Real Indians and LRInspire and the co-founder of Mazaska Talks. Follow @wakiyan7