The consequences of American colonialism still reverberate throughout urban Indigenous communities. From the dissolution of languages inherent to Native American cultures in the Southwest to the forced abandonment of Native traditions and practices, urban Indigenous communities are still making concerted efforts to reclaim their cultures and heritage.
Elicia Goodsoldier stood in front of a group of nearly 50 Indigenous people on a Saturday in June to initiate the Phoenix Indian Center’s first “Wiping of Tears” ceremony. It is a community grieving ceremony, originating from the Lakota Nation, and traditionally known as Istamniya Wicakicipakinta Pi.
“So many people from our language and culture programming really carry a lot of grief,” Goodsoldier said. “And that heaviness, that trauma that they’re carrying, that almost prevents them from being able to take in the language, to take in the teachings.”…