CONTACT:
ROBERT SATIACUM
253-224-4888
robertindns@msn.com
Day of 1000 Drums
May 30th Gathering in Tacoma to restore Native American name to Mt. Rainier
Drummers, musical performers and Native American activist speakers will share their talents in support of restoring Native American names to sacred sites. The Day of 1000 Drums is planned for Sunday May 30th 11am to 4pm at the Portland Avenue Park in Tacoma, is free and open to the public. The day will be filled with keynote, celebrity, spiritual, and Elder speakers, accompanied by musical appearances of many award winning native recording artists. Scheduled so far are recording artists PureFe and Keith Secola, Annie Humphrys, and Derek Miller, Comedian Charlie Hill, activist and poet John Trudell, Native Elders Isadore Tom, and Billy Frank.
Organizing the event in an effort to restore hundreds of original American Indian names to their rightful and respected sacred places and sites is Robert Satiacum, Puyallup Tribe member and son of controversial Native American activist Chief Bob Satiacum. The day will be filled with keynote, celebrity, spiritual, and Elder speakers, accompanied by musical appearances of many award winning native recording artists. The event will be formatted potlatch style, with special attention given to the Elder’s and children’s well being and care. “It’s important to show case our people’s regard to our traditions and care for the land, as well as for one another, and keeping that promise to our Creator”, Satiacum stated.
The Day of 1000 Drums event focus primarily on “Mt. Rainier” a name chosen by explorer Captain George Vancover to honor a British Admiral. For thousands of years the mountain was known as Ti’Swaq’, Tacobet and Takhoma by the various indigenous communities and language groups fed by the mountains many glaciers. Satiacum has posted a web site: RestoreNativeNames.org and is enlisting groups and individuals to be part of the Restore Native Names Alliance.
“First seemed impossible as was landing on the moon, or the United States having a Black President, but since its inception, the effort has gained momentum from a lot of unexpected support, as well as expected support.” Commented Satiacum, adding: “Many efforts have been made in the past, then abandoned. But we are still here. Ti’Swaq’ is a sacred place. We don’t expect the powers that decide what names go on a map will come around to our way of thinking right away. But someone needs to get the word out there – to educate and challenge the way we view our Mother Earth. That is what the Restore Native Names Alliance is about”
Satiacum say’s the idea came on a day of reflection during a break of doing research when listening to the recordings of a local tribe trying to re-establish its identity. “That afternoon I was looking over “Chubalip”, Commencement Bay, staring at Ti’Swaq’, and thought about singing a healing song to our ancestral spirits and the mountain, but thought I was only one pitiful voice. But then I thought about how it would be heartfelt to our Ancestors and the mountain if thousands of their grandchildren were to offer up a prayer song to let them know they are not forgotten and we are still here.” He adds, “by that night it was apparent that this had to happen, it would be a song heard from Seattle to Yakama, but felt around the World.”
There will be a portion of the event for other tribal and indigenous groups to show their support and come to the stage to present their support by tying an Eagle feather to the Eagle headed staff, which will be taken to the summit the following weekend. On the 7th of June, Robert Satiacum is planned to summit the peak, guided by the International Mountaineers Group. Once there, the staff will be planted, only to be removed once the name is rightfully restored.
Other web sites by Robert Satiacum and Cedar Media: NativeElders.org, CanoeWay.org, PuyallupTribalNews.com, PuyallupNation.com and CedarMedia.org.
For more information or to support this effort, visit RestoreNativeNames.org or email robertindns@msn.com 253.224.4888.
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