Alcatraz Sunrise Ceremony

This was a very interesting and informative trip for me. I learned a lot in the process about the reclamation of indigenous rights and the birth of a movement in this act of resistance. I felt that it was powerful that a celebration of history, culture, and revolution were brought back every year. It gave me a more depth into my own engrained notion as to how I imagine acts of resistance by native people. It is not only the wars fought for land, the protest in the streets and Alcatraz, but the act of being, unapologetically, that directly opposes the colonizer. To exist holistically, against all odds, is the most terrifying thing someone can do in a system that doesn't want them to exist. 

I also appreciated the palpable sense of excitement and buy-in of everyone on the trip. Even though we had risen at an unfortunate hour, we came together for something that, for everyone involved, was of significance. That energy is powerful, especially considering I feel it is hard to get excited about anything at Stanford, where even our hopes are settled into steps as part of our "plan." I really appreciated the time and intentionality to just spend and be there with everyone else. I feel like that is something that is so fleeting, that spending time for communion of any sort is incredibly healing. Even these small moments, so precious, can be acts of resistance. I think this is embodied in the format of the event itself. 

For example, many acts were done in communion. Before anything started, we learned or remembered about the occupation of Alcatraz, and then we walked up to the top together, before listening to the prayers offered. It was a single morning, but the light there was something I hope to find in more moments in my life.