October 11, 2023 was Indigenous People’s Day. November 2023 is Indigenous People’s Month.

What did or will you do to acknowledge and celebrate the tribal people of the United States? On October 15, UUC's Acting for Racial Justice and Climate Action Teams hosted a talk by two local Indigenous delegates to the United Nation’s Conference of the Parties (COP) climate discussions. 

The central points of the October 15 event were presentations by Jeff Ferguson of the Spokane tribe, and Unitarian Universalist from Spokane, Jacob Johns, of the Akimel O'Odham and Hopi nations. Jeff shared stories of how Indigenous communities are already suffering disproportionately from the effects of climate change. He explained the effort to bring issues of Indigenous peoples to last year's United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP27) on climate change (in November 2022), to publicize climate impacts, and to demand that they be addressed. Jeff also shared stories of how this year’s delegation of Indigenous peoples to COP28 came together and the work they have done to prepare for their participation in negotiations. 

Then we heard from Jacob Johns, originally scheduled to be the primary speaker for our October 15 event. He spoke via Zoom from a hospital bed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He had gone to Albuquerque to raise funds for participation in COP28. While there he joined to a peaceful prayer ceremony and celebration of the decision not to re-install a statue of a Spanish conquistador noted for ruthless violence against the Indigenous population of the region. At that event, a MAGA-hat wearing protester shot Jacob in the chest and he suffered life-threatening injuries that he is still recovering from. Jacob emphasized the importance of ensuring that Indigenous voices are again present at the UN climate talks, and asked the attendees to provide financial stipends and food support for those going to COP28, as well as money to send a film crew.

Takeaways from attendees of the October 15 event

“We need to recognize the value of Indigenous knowledge.”

“I was impressed with the powerful team that is committed, in an earth-centered spiritual way, to showing up to get alternative voices heard—instead of the usual financially powerful people who can afford to spend tons of money to show up.”

“I felt so disappointed in the UN for setting up a situation that is only accessible to the wealthy players who have wrought this crisis to begin with. They should be covering the cost of Indigenous peoples to be represented and make sure their voices are heard.”

“The recent violence and pushback against artist and community organizer Jacob Johns is evidence of the potency of Indigenous voices. It is important that we as UUs support action for COP28.”

How You Can Help

Many attendees noted that they were inspired by Jacob’s passion, courage, and persistence. 

To support Jacob and the other delegates getting to Dubai, you can contribute through the Backbone Campaign's Indigenous Perspectives COP28 webpage. Additional funding is still needed and we invite you to join in this effort.