Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	September 8, 2001 - Issue 44
	Earth Day: 2001-Forever
	by Jamie Lockard

Earth Day…I’ve always considered it a silly tradition. Not a silly cause, mind you, but a silly tradition. The reason, simply put, is my personal opinion that Earth Day should be everyday. Now, please don’t misunderstand, I agreed whole-heartedly that it is a good cause and a good concept. At least, I felt this way until recently. I had a hard time endorsing an idea that supported conservation one day a year. It was similar to the "Great American Smoke Out". I mean, if you are going to quit, it will take more than one day, and if you don’t have any desire to quit…why would you stop for one day. Follow me so far? These things take commitment. Traditionally, we, as a species, have a difficult time with commitment. I viewed Earth Day as a way for local governments to sponsor events that can raise funds for the city. A cause, and a profit, now that is a really original idea. In doing research for these articles, I came across the Earth Day Site and felt pretty silly after browsing through it. I had made the mistake that so many people make daily. I judged a book by it’s cover. Shame on me. I had no idea how global Earth Day had become and how many facets of our environment it touched. It’s not just about recycling for a day or planting a tree anymore. This concept has grown into a monster. But a good one. In browsing the site, I found something that made me feel really good and really opened my eyes. I found a call to arms. The little people, us, are raising one voice, through Earth Day, for clean air. In the "Indigenous Solidarity Statement" I found something incredible. What an amazing powerful statement I found this to be. It, first of all, tells me that the Native American struggle to regain their rights, dignity, homes, etc. is not the only one. There is an entire Global Native community fighting for the very same things. Secondly, it is a statement against industrial destruction of our Mother Earth through any means. Third, it is a demand to do the right thing for us and more important, our children. Most important, it is ONE VOICE. I’ve included a link to the article that changed my views about Earth Day. It is not just One Day anymore; it is now becoming One World. The tragedy is this did not begin many years ago, but it’s a start. I encourage each of you to go to the site and read the statement. Really read it. I will follow up this article with a series relating to these issues.

Related Links:

Earth Day Network: Campaigns - Human Rights Indigenous Statement http://www.earthday.net/goals/humanrightsstatement.stm

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