{"id":289880,"date":"2026-04-28T15:57:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T15:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/289880\/"},"modified":"2026-04-28T15:57:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T15:57:17","slug":"earth-day-event-hosted-by-indigenous-groups-at-fcc-the-rampage-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/289880\/","title":{"rendered":"Earth Day Event Hosted By Indigenous Groups At FCC \u2013 The Rampage Online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earth Day was celebrated worldwide on Wednesday, April 22. Among those celebrating were Indigenous groups who came together on Monday, April 20 at Fresno City College.<\/p>\n

The event was led by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)<\/a>, in the Yokuts Plaza from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

Many people spoke about the importance of protecting our earth globally as well as here in the Central Valley.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong ago our people walked this earth and we respected it,\u201d Choinumni tribal historian Audrey Osborne said. \u201cOur footprint is everywhere on this land and now, we have to protect it and not destroy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Osborne also discussed a controversial mining project in the Central Valley by a global company called CEMEX, which if its plans to mine on the San Joaquin River go through, has the potential to severely harm the local ecosystem.<\/a><\/p>\n

Along with speeches being held to commemorate Earth Day, there were ceremonial dances, a drum circle, singing and different stands informing people on resources available to them.<\/p>\n

Among the different booths were NAISA\u2019s stand, the NEUM Native American Student Association<\/a>, UC Merced<\/a>, Fresno American Indian Health Project<\/a>, Advocates For Indigenous California Language Survival<\/a>, Youth Leadership Institute<\/a>, Owens Valley Career Development Center<\/a> and N\u00fc\u00fcm\u00fc Yadoha Language Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The theme for the event was \u201cWhen Earth Speaks\u201d. It focused on Indigenous language and how it connects to earth conservation.<\/p>\n

\u201cLanguage is one of the parts of our Indigenous history that has been targeted and erased,\u201d Yamileth Moran said.<\/p>\n

Moran, a NAISA member, Nahuat descendant from Cuzcatlan (present-day El Salvador) and FCC student, spoke extensively on Indigenous recognition.<\/p>\n

\u201cEngaging in dialogue within Indigenous spaces, in Indigenous languages, is a form of resistance,\u201d Moran said.<\/p>\n

Moran, who\u2019s working on a certificate through the ethnic studies program for community change, also spoke on the goals of the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal was to showcase the different languages that exist. We\u2019re so different and we\u2019re so rich in our culture,\u201d Moran said.<\/p>\n

More Indigenous voices have been amplified in recent years after a long history of discrimination and violence throughout the Americas towards Indigenous peoples that has continued into modern times.<\/p>\n

Andres Murillo, another NAISA member, Gabrielino Tongva tribal member, and Theater, Stage and Lighting Design student spoke on local Indigenous communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing here, all together in this melting pot at FCC, brings awareness that we\u2019re still here. We are all connected and we respect the land,\u201d Murillo said.<\/p>\n

Signs highlighting the importance of conservation lined the sidewalk in the plaza, with quotes from venerated figures like Chief Seattle, John Muir and others who fought for environmental protections.<\/p>\n

\"\"Signs lining the sidewalk at Yokuts Plaza on April 20. (Photo by: Nicholas A. Polenz<\/a>)\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event started with a flag ceremony where the Indigenous Warriors Flag Group circled the plaza holding different military flags.<\/p>\n

\"\"Indigenous Warriors Flag Group in front of Yokuts Plaza plaque on April 20. (Photo by: Nicholas A. Polenz<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Linda Hernandez, a 23-year Army combat support veteran and current FCC student majoring in Chicano Latino studies and Native American studies, took part in the flag ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to protect our earth. We\u2019re losing our resources,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cThe native way was always to take care of the earth and each other and it\u2019s unfortunate the way things have gotten.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event was attended not only by students but by many community members as well, some of them former students.<\/p>\n

David Ricardo, a former FCC student, retired Fresno Unified educator and Army veteran, spoke on the importance of supporting our youth through community events.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally it\u2019s about cultural awareness and spreading to the youth that they are somebody, that they do make a difference,\u201d Ricardo said. \u201cBe proud of your culture, be proud of who you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ricardo, who was at FCC for the first ever Earth Day in 1970, did a traditional Native American dance at this year\u2019s ceremony.<\/p>\n

This event is one of two major events that NAISA holds every year, with the other being on California Native American Day in September.<\/p>\n