On behalf of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, we stand in solidarity with all making George Floyd’s tragic and needless death be heard. In our culture and language we believe we are all related. We see each other as relatives. Even so, we continue to see and experience, time after time, systemic racism and prejudice perpetuated on our black brothers and sisters. Our tribal citizens are affected as well. Among our people, we have many who identify as native and black. They are us. Our blood. Our relatives. We are inextricably linked to this issue. It is our duty to call this out. Bring this to light. Violence against our people has been part of our history but does not need to be part of our future. We shall continue to be part of resistance and show how we can peacefully force change for all of our relatives.
-Larry Wright, Jr., Chairman, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska