Hundreds Expected for Reading of Congressional Apology to American Indians on Wednesday

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Mark Charles, Navajo, will read the apology made to American Indians by Congress three years ago tomorrow in front of the reflecting pool on the National Mall in Washington DC.

Joshlyn Litzenberger and Victoria Proctor Gibbs
en route to Washington

On Tuesday morning, Charles told the Native News Network he expects hundreds of people to be there for the reading.

The event that begins at 9:00 am when the entire 2010 Department of Defense appropriations act – HR 3326. The apology to American Indians was buried on page 45 of the bill.

At least one group of 30 made its way to the nation's capital for the reading from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Three vans left Grand Rapids before dawn for the ten hour trip. The group consists of members of the Madison Christian Reformed Church, Calvin College and Restorers, Inc.

“I am going to show my support,”

commented Joshlyn Litzenberger, a community health nurse for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi, based in Michigan.

“I went to the reading of the apology a couple of years ago when it was read at a church in New York City. So, I want to be part of this reading.”

Litzenberger took time off work to attend; she is not representing the Tribe in an official capacity.

Noah Kruis, who grew up in Gallup, New Mexico, knew Mark Charles as he was growing up and heard Charles speak about the reading of the apology at the Christian Community Assembly in Minneapolis earlier this year, said he wanted to be part of tomorrow's event.

“I want to be there to support Mark. I admire what he is doing to bring to the public's attention,”

Kruis, who is the assistant director of Community Services at Calvin College.

“I am going because I want to learn more about American Indians,”

commented Berniz Constansa, who works in the Pre-college Department at Calvin College. She will be taking a group of youth to New Mexico Indian reservations in the spring of 2013.

“You know you just don't learn about American Indians in high school or even college.”

“This trip will be a trip of a lifetime for me. I am so excited about being on this trip.”

Said Victoria Proctor, co-coordintator of Congregations Organizing for Racial Reconciliation.

posted December 18, 2012 9:50 pm est