Native chanting Cole Hill, over looking Plymouth Rock on what most of the country calls Thanksgiving. But for many native people and their supporters, this is the 48th annual National Day of Mourning. Spontaneous chanting broke out before the official program got under way. This year the gathering was significantly larger then in previous years. I spoke to several people who were there for the first time. Dawn Will The National Day of Mourning is organized by UAINE, the United American Indians of New England. Co-founders Monanim James and Mahtowin Munro traditionally are the first two to address the assembled crowd, this year numbering over a thousand. Moonanum act Moonanum James. And now, the other co-founder, Mhatowin Munro. MM act Juan Gonzalez is a Mayan elder. He had a message to the American People Juan act June Sapio is with the Penob scot nation and traveled down from Maine. She was another first time attendee, and she paid tribute to her uncle Sam who used to do the opening blessing at National Day of Mourning, but he moved on to the spirit world this past year. June act 1 June Sapio speaking at National Day of Mourning. She then offered a prayer to her recently deceased Uncle. June act 2 Rosaba Solis paid tribute to another recently deceased Native American activist, Dennis Banks. Rosaba act Dennis Banks – Stay Strong As the words and music of Dennis Banks played out over the PA system, people listened in silent respect. Another tradition of Day of Mourning is a greeting from Lenard Peltier, and as always, it is read by elder Burt Waters Peltier act Nick act And that was Nick who traveled to Plymouth from the Red Nation movement of New Mexico. After the speakers, the large crowed marched through the streets of Plymouth. This year there was also drumming from Buddhist Monks along with the tradition natives. National Day of Mourning is an annual gathering in Plymouth sponsored by UAINE, the United American Indians of New England. For more information, you can visit their web site, Uaine.org. For the Boston Community Radio Project, and WMBR, I am Chuck Rosina