A "Merciless" Reminder on July 4: Statement On The Fourth Of July (Native American International Caucus)
The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) shares this powerful and necessary statement from the Native American International Caucus (NAIC) of The United Methodist Church as a public act of solidarity, truth-telling, and commitment to equity and justice.
As GCORR is charged with challenging, leading, and equipping the Church to become more interculturally competent, to embody institutional equity, and to engage in vital conversations about race, culture, and power, this includes listening deeply to the voices of Indigenous communities and acknowledging how systemic erasure, dehumanization, and exclusion continue to impact Native peoples—within our denomination and beyond.
We invite all United Methodists to read, reflect, and engage with this statement with humility, openness, and a willingness to be transformed by the witness of Native peoples who continue to say, “We are still here.”
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The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, contains a deeply offensive reference to Native Americans. It refers to us as "merciless Indian savages," a derogatory term that dehumanizes us and justifies violence against us.
This line appears near the end of the Declaration, listing grievances against King George III. The authors accused the British crown of inciting violence by encouraging Native nations to resist colonial expansion.
Historical Context:
During this period, Native nations were fiercely defending their ancestral territories against waves of settlers who consistently violated existing treaties, encroached upon Indigenous lands, and cleared vast areas for agriculture and settlement. To manage colonial expansion, British authorities enacted the Proclamation of 1763, which sought to restrict the movement of settlers beyond the Appalachian Mountains. Although this policy was enforced unevenly and generated substantial frustration among colonists eager to expand westward, it did offer a degree of protection for the sacred lands of Native Americans.
As tensions escalated and the colonists declared their independence fromBritish rule, they shifted blame onto the British for their alliances withNative peoples. In this narrative, the colonists portrayed Indigenous peopleas "savages," unjustly vilifying them simply for their efforts to safeguard their homelands and cultural heritage from encroachment. Thischaracterization served to justify their expansionist agenda, furtherexacerbating the conflict between settlers and Native nation.
How Some, But Not All, Native Americans Feel About the 4th of July:
Many Native Americans have complex, painful, and mixed feelings about the Fourth of July. Here are some perspectives to consider:
For Many, It Is a Day of Mourning or Resistance
It signifies the establishment of a nation founded on Native land,frequently through broken treaties, forced removal, genocide, andcultural erasure.
Some Tribal Nations do not observe the Fourth of July in the same way it is celebrated in the USA.
Some communities celebrate tribal sovereignty, host powwows, honor Native veterans—many of whom fought in U.S. wars—and assert cultural pride on the 4th.
The Lakota and Dakota people at Pine Ridge and other reservations have traditionally used the 4th of July for large gatherings and ceremonies, not to celebrate American independence, but to unite in strength and survival.
Others Choose Not to Celebrate
For many Indigenous people, it’s not a holiday; it's a reminder of colonization, forced assimilation, and the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights.
What’s Not Said in the Declaration:
The document does not mention anything about:
Native sovereignty
Land theft
Treaty obligations
The diverse, complex nations already living on the land.
Rather than presenting the diverse and intricate cultures of Native peoples, this perspective reduces them to a monolithic and violent stereotype, conveniently aligning with the political objectives of the colonial revolutionaries. This simplification serves to dehumanize Indigenous communities, obscuring their rich histories, varied traditions, and the complexities of their societies, all in the name of justifying the actions and ideologies of those seeking power during the colonial era.
The 4th of July is not a celebration for all. For many Indigenous peoples, it’s a day to remember our ancestors, honor the resilience of our nations, and tell the truth — that our nations were here before 1776.
Reflection: “What Does Freedom Mean?”
On this day, fireworks will rise, flags will wave, and voices will sing of freedom. Yet for many of us, this day does not bring celebration. It evokes memories of land stolen, treaties broken, languages forced into silence, and ancestors labeled “merciless savages” in the very document being honored. It is a day that reminds us of the diversity of Indigenous experiences and identities, each with its unique struggles and triumphs.
Freedom did not arrive for our people on July 4th. We were not part of the Declaration of Independence. We were absent during the westward expansion.
We were not granted the freedom we sought; instead, Our Tribal and human rights were denied, and we faced punishment for simply being Indigenous. We experienced the harsh realities of being hunted down and treated as less than human, including enduring boarding schools, living on reservations, and being forcibly relocated.
Despite the challenges, we remain steadfast and determined to press forward for our ancestors and descendants. Our deep well of resilience and inner strength guides us as we navigate and surmount the various obstacles that society places in our path. We gather, pouring our hearts into the ancestors' songs that echo our history and culture, filling the air with voices that tell our stories. We step in our traditional dances that celebrate our heritage, each step a tribute to our ancestors. As we proudly recite the names of our nations, we keep their legacies alive and pass them down to our children, lifting them in age-old practices that connect us to our roots and nurture their identity in a world that continually seeks to erase us. This duty of preserving our culture is not just a responsibility, but a privilege we hold dear.
For us, freedom isn't about fireworks; it means remembering those who fought for our rights, having the sovereignty to govern ourselves, and being free to express our true identities. It's about honoring our history and celebrating who we are. Understanding and respecting this history is crucial for building a more just and inclusive future. Embracing the Seven Generations Teachings, we fully engage in each moment and affirm:
We are still here!
Statement: “Still We Rise”
We acknowledge the truth on this day:
The Declaration of Independence referred to our ancestors as "merciless Indian savages.
Our sovereignty was disregarded, our treaties were violated, and our voices were excluded from the discussion.
We recognize that we still do not have a place at the table.
Despite everything, we are still here.
We are the descendants of those who survived massacres, forced removals, and attempts at forced assimilation.
We carry the songs of our grandmothers, the medicine of our grandfathers, and the stories that the fire still remembers.
Let the world know that we do not need permission to exist. We do not require inclusion in their celebrations to feel whole.
We honor and carry our sacred ways.
We come together for our sacred gatherings.
We rise for our people.
We refuse to be erased.
Respectfully Yours,
Ragghi Rain, on behalf of the NAIC of the United Methodist Church