Across the United States, communities prepared to observe the 2006 National Day of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places on June 21st. This annual event, now in its fourth year, served as a focal point for raising awareness and advocating for the preservation of locations holding profound spiritual and cultural significance for Native American tribes. The events scheduled ranged from solemn religious ceremonies to educational forums, reflecting the diverse approaches communities took to honor and protect these irreplaceable sites.
The genesis of the National Day of Prayer for Sacred Places stemmed from a pressing need: the vulnerability of Native American sacred sites to damage and destruction. The inaugural event, held on June 20, 2003, on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, directly aimed to petition Congress for legislation that would provide legal recourse for protecting these sites. That need, as organizers emphasized, remained unfulfilled in 2006.
Suzan Shown Harjo, a Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee woman, served as the president of The Morning Star Institute, the organization responsible for coordinating the National Prayer Day. Also a columnist for Indian Country Today, Harjo articulated the core issue driving the event: the disparity in legal protections afforded to Native American religious practices compared to other faiths in the United States.
"Native and non-Native people nationwide are gathering to honor sacred places, with a special emphasis on those that are endangered by actions that can be avoided," Harjo explained. The threat to these sacred places came from various sources, including development, resource extraction, and even unintentional desecration due to lack of awareness. The goal of the June 21 Set for 2006 National Prayer Day for Sacred Places was to amplify the call for action and underscore the urgency of the situation.
A key point of contention lay in the interpretation and application of the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom. Harjo argued that while other religious groups could rely on this constitutional protection to defend their places of worship in court, traditional Native Americans faced significant barriers in doing so. "Many Native American sacred places are being damaged because Native nations do not have equal access under the First Amendment to defend them," she asserted. "All other people in the United States have the First Amendment to protect their churches. Only traditional Native Americans cannot get into the courthouse through the Freedom of Religion Clauses. That simply must change as a matter of fairness and equity."
The legal precedent underpinning this argument traced back to a 1988 Supreme Court ruling. The court, according to Harjo, effectively directed Congress to enact specific legislation granting Native Americans the legal standing necessary to protect their sacred sites. Despite this directive, nearly two decades had passed without Congress taking the necessary action. "Eighteen years have passed without Congress creating that door to the courthouse for Native Americans," Harjo lamented. "And some of these places cannot withstand many more years of legal and physical onslaughts."
The consequences of this legislative inaction were tangible and deeply felt within Native American communities. Sacred sites, often integral to cultural identity, spiritual practice, and historical memory, were at risk of irreversible damage or outright destruction. The June 21 Set for 2006 National Prayer Day for Sacred Places served as a collective plea to address this critical need.
The observances planned for the day reflected the diverse landscapes and cultural traditions of Native American communities across the country. From California to Washington, D.C., gatherings were scheduled to honor the land, connect with ancestral spirits, and advocate for the protection of these irreplaceable cultural resources.
Here is a glimpse into some of the events that took place:
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California: Pit River Territory: In northeastern California, members of the Pit River, Wintu, Shasta, Modoc, and other Native peoples convened on traditional Pit River Territory. Their purpose was to offer prayers for the safeguarding of the Medicine Lake Highlands, a region considered sacred and threatened by a proposed energy project. Following the prayer ceremonies, participants planned to strategize nonviolent resistance to Calpine Energy’s project.
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Colorado: Native American Rights Fund, Boulder: The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in Boulder, Colorado, hosted a public sunrise ceremony on its front lawn. The program, which lasted approximately one hour, included prayers, speeches, and a moment of silence dedicated to acknowledging and addressing the ongoing damage and destruction of sacred places.
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Kansas: Wakarusa Wetlands: In Kansas, Save the Wakarusa Wetlands Inc., a group comprised of Haskell Indian Nations University alumni, students, and community supporters, gathered at sunrise in the wetlands south of Lawrence. Their prayers focused on the protection of the Wakarusa Wetlands, which faced the imminent threat of destruction due to a proposed highway project. The wetlands held significant ecological and cultural value, making their preservation a priority for the community.
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Missouri: Missouri River: The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in Missouri held its Annual Prayer Breakfast and Summer Solstice Acknowledgement. This event was timed to coincide with both the National Day of Prayer for Sacred Places and the International Peace and Prayer Day, both observed on the summer solstice. The gathering served as a time for reflection, prayer, and reaffirmation of the tribe’s connection to the Missouri River and its ancestral lands.
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New Mexico: Morning Star House, Albuquerque: In Albuquerque, New Mexico, an observance for the protection of all sacred places and sacred beings was held at sunrise at the Morning Star House. This event provided a space for individuals to come together in prayer and solidarity to advocate for the preservation of these vital resources.
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North Dakota: Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, New Town: The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, located on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, held a sunrise prayer ceremony. The tribal office provided additional details regarding the day’s events.
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Washington, D.C.: The Morning Star Institute at the National Museum of the American Indian: In the nation’s capital, The Morning Star Institute hosted an observance at the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall. The gathering took place in the circle between the east entrance and the Wetlands Pond, offering a prominent location for raising awareness about the importance of protecting sacred places.
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Washington: Snoqualmie Falls: The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe in Washington State observed the National Day of Prayer for the Protection of Sacred Places at Snoqualmie Falls. Attendees were invited to bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch following the ceremony, fostering a sense of community and shared commitment to protecting this culturally significant site.
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Washington: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and Lummi Nation: The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe conducted a Prayer Ceremony in Honor of the Ancestors at Tse Whit Zen Village near Port Angeles, Washington. Concurrently, the Lummi Indian Nation commemorated a totem to the memory of veterans.
These events, taking place across the nation, highlighted the diverse ways in which Native American communities honored their sacred places and advocated for their protection. The June 21 Set for 2006 National Prayer Day for Sacred Places served as a unified voice, calling for greater recognition and legal protection for these irreplaceable cultural and spiritual resources. It was a reminder that the fight for religious freedom and cultural preservation was ongoing, and that continued vigilance and advocacy were essential.