Sacred sites honored on the solstice

FLAGSTAFF-It wasn't a huge event, but at least 30 people spent time at Buffalo Park on June 21 to take part in the World Peace and Prayer Day for Sacred Sites.

"At least two separate groups have formed, people leave, people come" Rachel Tso said.

Tso was one of the organizers of the Flagstaff event.

June 21 marks the longest day of the year-the summer solstice-which many Native nations consider a powerful time to pray for peace and harmony for the world. A small group of community activists spent the quiet evening in prayer. Some walked the two-mile trail that winds through this popular Flagstaff park, enjoying a grazing herd of elk and the cool evening weather.

The Morning Star Institute in Washington, D.C. listed the San Francisco Peaks among many sacred sites under threat of injury or destruction.

Others include Hickory Ground in Alabama, the Wakarusa Wetlands in Kansas, Bear Butte in South Dakota, petroglyphs in New Mexico and the Medicine Lake Highlands in northern California.

Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee) is the president of the Morning Star Institute, which organizes national prayer days.

In a press release, Harjo states, "Many Native American sacred places are being damaged because Native nations do not have equal access under the First Amendment to defend them. All other people in the United States have the First Amendment to protect their churches. Only traditional Native Americans cannot get into the courthouse through the Freedom of Religion clauses. That simply must change as a matter of fairness and equity."

In 1988, the Supreme Court told Congress that it had to enact a statutory right of action if it wanted to protect Native sacred places.

"Nineteen years have passed without Congress creating that door to the courthouse for Native Americans," Harjo said. "Some of these places cannot withstand many more years of legal and physical onslaughts."

"Native and non-Native people are gathering, again, to call on anyone who will listen to help protect these national treasures and to do something about this national disgrace that threatens them," she added.

Recording artist Radmilla Cody, actress Camille Tso, activist Daniel Rosen, and activist Alberta Nells were some of the individuals who honored the event.

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