Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 12 PM – 3:30 PM EST
2023 National Day of Mourning
Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, MA (hill above Plymouth Rock)
ORIENTATION FOR 54th NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING 11.23.23
WHAT IS NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING?
An annual tradition since 1970, National Day of Mourning is a solemn, spiritual and highly political day. Many of us fast from sundown the day before through the afternoon of that day (and have a social after NDOM so that participants in NDOM can break their fasts). We are mourning our ancestors and the genocide of our peoples and the theft of our lands. NDOM is a day when we mourn, but we also feel our strength in action and solidarity.
WHEN AND WHERE IS DAY OF MOURNING?
Thursday, November 23, 2023 (U.S. “thanksgiving” day) at Cole’s Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 12 noon SHARP. Cole’s Hill is the hill above Plymouth Rock in the Plymouth historic waterfront area.
WILL THERE BE A MARCH?
Yes, there will be a march through the historic district of Plymouth. Plymouth agreed, as part of the settlement of 10/19/98, that UAINE may march on National Day of Mourning without the need for a permit as long as we give the town advance notice.
PROGRAM: Although we very much welcome our non-Native supporters to stand with us, it is a day when only Indigenous people speak about our history and the struggles that are taking place throughout the Americas. Speakers are by invitation only. This year’s NDOM will be livestreamed from Plymouth.
-Note that NDOM is not a commercial event, so we ask that people do not sell merchandise or distribute leaflets at the outdoor program. We will have UAINE t-shirts available for sale following the march.
-We also ask that you do not eat (unless you must do so for medical reasons) at the outdoor speak-out and march out of respect for the participants who are fasting.
-Dress for the weather!
SOCIAL: There will be box lunches available, but we will not have a full sit-down social due to COVID concerns.
TRANSPORTATION: If you cannot get to Plymouth, you can watch our livestream! We will also post information about buses from NY, CT and elsewhere if applicable at the UAINE facebook event.
ELDERS/DISABLED PEOPLE: We have some chairs available for any Elders and others who need to sit during the initial rally on Cole’s Hill. We also will have ASL interpreters on-stage.
DONATIONS: Donations are gratefully accepted to help defray the costs of the day and of UAINE’s many other efforts during the year: information TBA.
COVID-19 has hit Indigenous communities very hard, and we want to ensure that no one gets sick from attending National Day of Mourning. Please wear a mask!