IWCN Wildlife Policy and Tribal Outreach Director J Dallas Gudgell organized the rally in support of the Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act.
Devin Oldman or Noo’oo’keet (Walks Out of Water), is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe residing on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. He has worked years advocating for the Bison reintroduction on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
“Here we stand in this place known as the District of Columbia, who did they name this place after? They named it after Columbus, the man who apparently discovered the land that we’re standing in. I’m here to remind you all that this land was already discovered. There were already people here. Our brother Grizzly Bear once numbered the millions as well. And today there’s less than 2,000 left in North America in wildland areas.
Dr. Vivian Delgado, is a professor dedicated her work in Indigenous Studies created a four year degree in Indigenous Studies at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota on decolonization, social justice awareness and processes. Currently she works primarily in research and as a consultant for the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, the Oceti Sakowin Treaty Council and the International Indian Treaty Council.
“The American bison, the grizzly bear, and the gray wolves because they have the same social political background as indigenous people. The eradication of our relative’s existence is the same as ours.”
