RECAP: Large Indigenous contingent marches in historic World Pride parade

Tuesday, July 2, 2019  

NEW YORK, New York -- A large contingent of Indigenous people expressed their unity, resilience and culture at the historic Pride March here on Sunday.

The group, 150 strong, was the largest in the history of the annual parade, according to organizers with the Two Spirit Indigenous People's Association of NYC. The march took on added significance as it recognized the 50th anniversary of the uprising at Stonewall, hailed as the birthplace of the modern acceptance rights movement. It was also the first to be designated as a "WorldPride" event.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity" Trudie Jackson, a citizen of the Navajo Nation who ran for president of her tribe last year, told Indianz.Com.

"As a trans woman of color, my representation here gives hope to the next generation," Jackson said.

Trudie Jackson, Navajo, is attending her first World Pride! “As a trans woman of color, my representation here gives hope to the best generation,” Jackson said in New a York City as the #Pride march is set to begin. pic.twitter.com/zexUq9ZO1F

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

CORRECTION: “As a trans woman of color, my representation here gives hope to the NEXT generation,” Trudie Jackson, Navajo, said at #WorldPride #AutoCorrect #WorldPride2019 #WorldPrideNyc

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

Isadore Boni, San Carlos Apache, is attending his first World Pride. “Native people were here before Stonewall and we will be here after Stonewall,” Boni said of the birthplace of the modern #Pride movement. Indigenous people, 150 strong, are marching in New York City on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/DZliMpHZrr

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

Elton Naswood, Navajo, is part of a large contingent of Indigenous people, 150 strong, who are taking part in #WorldPride on Sunday in New York City. It’s the largest group of Indigenous people in the march organizers said. #WorldPride2019 pic.twitter.com/nTRrrMhNkb

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

Boyd Whiskeyjack, Saddle Lake First Nation and reigning International Two Spirit Ogichidaa (Warrior) 2018/19, came all the way from Treaty 6 territory for #WorldPride. He is helping carry the banner for the Indigenous contingent, 150 strong, in New York City #WorldPride2019 pic.twitter.com/sT2umOax9U

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

The Indigenous contingent, 150 strong, is getting ready to take part in #WorldPride with a prayer and song to the four directions. The #WorldPride2019 parade is underway in New York City on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/InNmiXfK5n

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

The Indigenous contingent at #WorldPride is on the move! The #WorldPride2019 parade is taking place in New York City on Sunday, with a record 150 Indigenous people taking part in the celebration. pic.twitter.com/VQjHySeJrj

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

Dancing and drumming down 5th Avenue in Manhattan, the Indigenous contingent, 150 strong, is taking part #WorldPride2019 in New York City on Sunday. The Indigenous group is the largest in the history of #WorldPride. pic.twitter.com/BSMHOFz3YW

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

Beverly Little Thunder, Standing Rock Sioux, is helping lead the Indigenous contingent at #WorldPride2019. This is her second #WorldPride event, with a record 150 Indigenous people taking part in the parade. #worldpridenyc pic.twitter.com/fAhNs70MrG

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

Jean-Luc Pierite, Tunica-Biloxi, is at his first #WorldPride. He brought his people’s creation story, represented by the two alligators on the mirror, to the #WorldPride2019 parade in New York City. An Indigenous contingent, 150 strong, is celebrating on Sunday. @neshoba78 pic.twitter.com/yv2mmb8V7F

— indianz.com (@indianz) June 30, 2019

The Two Spirit Indigenous People's Association of New York City organized the Indigenous contingent in the World Pride march on June 30, 2019. The group issued a statement, attributed to Cherokee citizen Joseph M. Pierce, in response to an incident of cultural appropriation at the event.

"Our culture is not a costume," the statement reads.

Pride NYC. Having just finished marching with the Indigenous two spirit group, these people emerged. What tribe are you from?, I asked. —We just dressed up for Pride, they replied. It’s just a costume. @NativeApprops would have had a field day. #culturalappropriation pic.twitter.com/7WnI4OAHWo

— Joseph M. Pierce (@PepePierce) June 30, 2019

The statement in full follows:

At WorldPride|Stonewall 50 the Two Spirit Indigenous People’s Association marched along with millions of others celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQIA2S community. Many of our participants marched in regalia representing our unique cultures. However, during the parade we encountered a group of people wearing fuchsia war bonnets and imitation regalia. These participants had no connection to any Indigenous nation and wore the regalia “as a costume”. These racist caricatures dehumanize Indigenous peoples.

Thus, we call on the WorldPride organizers to address the appropriation of Indigenous cultures by prohibiting the use of Indigenous costumes by non-Native participants, and by affirming the rights of Indigenous peoples to participate free from those who would exploit our heritage for selfish purposes. Our culture is not a costume.