We Are Not Vanishing.
We Are Not Conquered.
We Are As Strong As Ever.
National Day of Mourning
Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of
Mourning on the 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.
46th National Day of Mourning: November 26, 2015
12:00 noon
Coles Hill Plymouth, MA
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Would you or your friends like to help prepare dinner for National Day of Mourning? The volunteer kitchen crew needs help several days in advance, as well as during the events, and for set-up and clean-up. You don't have to miss the rally and march. It's a great way for newbies and solidarity folks to learn about or lend a hand at NDOM. Thanks for passing along this message. Email to info@uaine.org.
We will have a pot luck social following National Day of Mourning rally and march. Please bring juices, desserts and side dishes. Don’t bring food that still has to be cooked, but we can warm up cooked food. Drop off food at the downstairs social hall at First Parish in Plymouth UU church in the morning before you go to rally at noon.
Statement of Leonard Peltier to National Day of Mourning, November 27, 2014
2014 NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING
Downloads:
2014 National Day of Mourning Flyer
2014 National Day of Mourning Orientation, PDF for printing. (See same info below.)
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, 2014 (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?
Yes, 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 supporters to stand with us, it is a day when only Indigenous people speak about our history 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.
Please note that NDOM is not a commercial event, so we ask that people do not sell merchandise or distribute leaflets at the outdoor program. If you have literature to distribute, you are welcome to place it on a literature table at the social hall following the speak-out and march. Also, we ask that you do not eat (unless you must do so for medical reasons) at the outdoor speak-out and march out of respect for the participants who are fasting. Finally, dress for the weather!
SOCIAL: There will be a pot-luck social held after the National Day of Mourning speak-out and march this year. Preference for first seatings will be given to Elders, young 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, prepared fresh fruit & vegetables, and pre-cooked entrée items (turkeys, hams, stuffing, vegetables, casseroles, rice & beans, etc.) that can be easily re-warmed at the social hall prior to the social. Our amazing kitchen crew makes great food, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, too, but if you have special dietary needs, please bring something that will suit you. Thank you.
TRANSPORTATION:
Some supporters may be working to organize carpools from the Boston area. Please check the facebook event page for National Day of Mourning. We do not recommend MBTA service as it is limited and the Plymouth train stop is more than 2 miles away from where we gather.