Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Zocolo Plaza, Mesico City, Mexico - Speaking to fighters of the Frente Sandinista for National Liberation, Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, 1981: "I am Anishinabe Ojibwa… WaBunInini (Day Break Man), a.k.a., Vernon Bellecourt…

We are the Indigenous people of the natural world…We are the colonized nations of peoples of these sacred Turtle Islands called the Americas by these colonialist intruders who occupy our lands.

We are a people who have always and continue to walk the path of peace. However, in order to ensure the survival of our children, grandchildren and future generations, and way of life under the natural laws of the Creator, we must always reserve for ourselves the unique right to also walk the path of the freedom fighter."

Today, March 11, 2001 representatives of the American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council stand in resolute solidarity with these brave women and men of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, EZLN.

It is a great honor to be here today with the millions of Indian peoples and millions of other peoples of goodwill worldwide who also stand with you today.

Brave fighters of the EZLN you have sacrificed much for us, you have stood up and in doing so you have become a shining example for all the oppressed and downtrodden people worldwide.

We of the American Indian Movement, as we did in 1972, again call for Restitution, Reparations, and Restoration of lands to guarantee an Indian future in the Americas. This document can be accessed on the Internet, go to: ( TBT) Trail of Broken Treaties 20-Point Position Paper.

While we are here today to support your efforts with the government of Mexico to bring about justice and lasting peace for the Indigenous people and other oppressed people in Mexico, let us continue to remain vigilant and remember the sacrifices made by Commandte Emiliano Zapata, and the many martyrs who went on before us. Martyrs such as Tecumseh of the Shawnee nation, assassinated by United States military forces in 1813, who said, "We should never underestimate the deceit and treachery of the enemy."