Columbus Day: Remember the First Nations

My Fellow Americans,

Five-hundred and twenty three years ago, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas for Europe. Today, we celebrate that memory, but there are many across our nation who do not celebrate that anniversary. Over 100 million native peoples have died from the beginning of the Europeans's conquest to the end of the American-Indian Wars. Even still today, Native Americans are one the poorest ethnic groups in the United States. Our nation's history with indigenous groups is long and dark, marred with scandal and racism. But today, we can turn the page and begin a new chapter.

It is time for us to recognize the contributions of native peoples from all across our nation, and to stoke respect for them once again. Even today, native peoples lands are still being violated in search of oil and natural resources. This is unacceptable and as President, I will fight for the rights of those who have been marginalized by society, especially the Native peoples. How then do I plan to life Native people out of poverty?

We need to reinvest in our Indian reservations and we need to work with tribes all across America to get better autonomy for them to make the decisions they need to. Washington DC should not be making the policy decisions for a Native peoples whose lands are in Oklahoma or Arizona. Native peoples should be given more self-government and more access to federal funds and assistance rather than dominance.

We need to stop trying to write Native People's future for them, for we have already ruined their past. Instead, let us allow them to create their own destiny in a modern America, an America where EVERYONE has equal rights and protections under the law. As President, I will be a fearless and constant advocate for Native peoples, not only in America, but also across the world. Justice knows no color, race, or language, and neither do I.

~Katniss Everdeen