Music:
Member Since: 2/18/2006
Band Website: tacheles.de/artist/Txus Parras
Band Members:Indigenous Youth AT THE UNITED NATIONSI would have never dreamed that such a seemingly simple act of writing The Indigenous Youth Declaration in 2004 at the Elders Summit in Six Nations would lead me to such a place that it did: dancing our traditional Haudenosaunee social dance in front of the United Nations. The night was warm on that August 9, 2007 as we ran through the Times Square towards our most important destination along this year's unity run – New York City. We ran all through the night, so as to get through Manhattan as safely as possible, which meant that we had to sacrifice sleep, running for hours, to present our message to the United Nations.
When we got there it was 6:00 in the morning and we were filled with so much fire, we couldn't hold it in: we were there, we were finally at the United Nations. Being at the U.N., recognized and listened to is a huge thing for our people, since it has rarely happened before, even to our most prestigious leaders. This is not even mentioning the fact that we were merely youth who are rarely even recognized by our own communities, let alone the whole world. However, no matter what it cost, were there with a copy of our Youth Declaration, four years in the making.
We walked through the security check, fully wearing our traditional dress, and made our way to the gathering directly outside the U.N. to meet the organizers of the event. Filled with the awe of the moment, we proudly walked up to them, smiling all the while, to discover that we only had 15 minutes to introduce our Unity Run and message, and only 10 minutes to present the declaration.
These words devastated us and made it all the more difficult to put our heads on straight and speak. However, we spoke for the 15 minutes we initially had about our group and the Elders Declaration that was also created at the 2004 Indigenous Elders Summit. We spoke within the time limit on that occasion, but
while presenting later that day on our Youth Declaration, we threw the rules out of the window and found the courage inside of ourselves to speak without limits. It was the only way we felt we could be heard, respected and understood. We spoke for more than an hour.
Our words just flowed out as we had over 25 runners on the small stage, it was as though our ancestors were speaking through us. I mean, we were there for them, we were there for us, and we were there for the future generations, so it was only natural that they were also there for us in spirit. Either way, our words touched the crowd so much that they invited us back to speak at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations again next May. It was an amazing experience that took us on a journey beyond our wildest dreams. We laughed, we cried, we yelled, we smiled, we danced, we sung – we did it all.
As one of the main writers of the Declaration and organizers of our presentation, I was amazed at what we accomplished there, as youth and Indigenous people. Of course we were criticized for things such as our age, our use of the word "demand" (in the declaration) and of our persistence in speaking without any time restraints. However, if we did not do these things, our entire experience there would be different. Who says, as youth, we can't demand change in our world for the better? As proved by this year's Unity run, we can do anything if we just believe in ourselves, think positively, and stay focused.
Perhaps our world would be different if it just took the time to listen to and include it's youth.
Melissa Elliott, 17yrs old, York University Unity Runner, Organizer Spirit of the Youth Working Group
Influences:SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SUPPORT SUBKULTURAL SITUATIONS... SUPPORT RESISTANCE NOW ARROUND OUR PLANET
AND GET THIS FK INDUSTRYS AND GET AL THIS BIG POLLUTION PROFITERS TO A END
HELP TO SHUT THEM DOWN
Sounds Like: MIRROR OF TRUTH
Record Label: free earth tribes/global dj crew
Type of Label: Indie