- Details
- By United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)
Guest Opinion. Today our nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since his birthday was first observed as a holiday in 1986, communities across the land have found meaningful ways to honor his work and ideas – through volunteerism, activism, and reflection. Certainly, Dr. King worked tirelessly in his commitment to peace, equality, and justice and his name is often invoked as a symbol of all these ideas, to the betterment of our shared society. But, too often, symbols become idealized, romanticized, or even redefined, for purposes that lie beyond their intent.
It is undeniable that we live in a challenging time, with rancor and division on the rise, alternate realities afoot, gun violence commonplace, and a seemingly endless pandemic nipping at our heels and refusing to go away, like a steadfast grudge or harbinger of past slights. For some, there is a tendency to see despair instead of hope and feel that any current malaise is unique to our time, that we are facing a reckoning of which we’ve never seen. Or to long for heroes like Dr. King and wonder what he would think, if he were alive today, how he would react, what he would say, but we know the answer to these questions.
Want more Native News? Get the free daily newsletter today.
It is worth reminding ourselves that he lived in a time where church bombings, lynchings, and widespread demonstrations, both violent and peaceful, were the norm, as our nation struggled through the Cold War, Civil Rights, and Viet Nam. He did not give up hope – ever – and he always pressed ahead, because as he famously said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” He told us, change is not only possible, it is inevitable and how we affect that change or shape that change, remains with us. And in this equation, we are the heroes we long for.
Dr. King was also aware of the importance of conflict, where the definition lies in the doing, that our progress is often messy and circuitous, but if we remain steadfast, that progress is made. “I must confess,” he said, “that I am not afraid of the word tension. I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth.” It is not clear sailing, nor should it be, because things of great worth take time and Because there is Strength in Unity effort—a reality with which Indian Country is all too familiar. There is sacrifice and often, pain, but through it all comes redemption.
So, to follow Dr. King’s lead, then, we suggest that we look at our current times not as a portend of dark days to come, but rather an opportunity, to continue the effort to heal long-hidden wounds (especially America’s first moral sins against Tribal Nations and Native people), to acknowledge our common ground while challenging norms and celebrating all the beauty that makes us each unique, to embrace the tension that comes out of looking beyond our personal realities to consider another’s realities, and to act boldly in challenging injustice or falsehoods, whether it is coming from a neighbor or institution. It can be an uncomfortable threshold to cross, but when done with dignity and integrity and intelligence, it has shown to be effective and a necessary building block to collaboration, communication, and common goals. This process is more necessary than ever, to turn passive into active, to allow our nation, to go forward, together, rather than step back, alone.
When we choose to be engaged, we become accountable, to ourselves, to each other, to our ancestors who have come before, and to those who follow in the generations ahead. Dr. King’s words, acts, and deeds reflect an individual who chose to roll up his sleeves, take chances, and was not afraid to confront situations where peace, justice and equality are threatened. His birthday is a reminder of the work to be done, that is both at hand, and within reach, and the hope that must accompany all our efforts to confront America’s dark past and ongoing injustice, and to carve a new path of truth for all our relations across the country.
The United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) is a non-profit, inter-Tribal organization serving 33 federally recognized Tribal Nations from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico.
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher