“We are a people who resist fascism in all its forms; whose creative spirit is born from a multitude of voices, not just one; who were once in need of shelter so now offer it to others.”
Julian Zabalbeascoa (joo-lee-yan sah-bahl-bay-ahz-koh-ah), teacher, novelist
“The mere fact of our speaking Basque in public was an act of defiance…As children, it was instilled in us that we were the keepers of Euskara, and that to keep it, to protect it, was to speak it.”
Amaia Gabantxo (ah-my-yah gah-bahn-choh), writer, a flamenco singer, translator
“Maybe Basque language will not be saved with a state, but without a state for sure it will be lost.”
José Luis Alvarez Enparantza (hoe-say loo-ees ahl-vah-ress en-pahr-ahnt-zah), linguist, politician, writer
“With strength materialized in this place, with passion and heartbeats of joy, let us continue building this country from and with the Basque language.”
Maialen Lujanbio (my-ell-len loo-hahn-bee-yoh), oral poet
“I belong to a universe in which (Euskera) was the dominant language. What matters to me is the language, which is something as human as walking …it’s what helps us endure.”
Bernardo Atxaga (bare-nahr-doh aht-chah-gah), author
“For the Basque language the focus is on unity or “we.” It’s about “our hand” or “our land.” It’s “our.” It’s not “I” or “mine.” It’s “we” or “our” because it’s so much based on survival.”
Angeles Arrien (an-juh-lis ah-ree-yen), educator
“Someday, some strong people will appear out of us and we will rise up to compete with the world, as it moves on and on.”
Chiri Yukie (cheer-eee yoo-kee-yay), author and story keeper
“We demand that…peoples recognize reciprocally the freedom of each ethnic group to use its own language and acknowledge the fact that there exist different ethnic cultures.”
Giichi Nomura (geye-chee no-moor-ah), human rights activist
“Ainu culture isn’t limited to language or ceremonies or dance. It is Ainu life itself. Whatever happens every day within the household is Ainu culture.”
Ryoko Tahara (yoh-koh tah-hah-rah), chairperson Ainu Women's Association
“We are a living people. We are not a culture only. It is no use if only our culture is preserved. We would like to recover our rights as human beings.“
Koichi Kaizawa (koych keye-zah-wah), culture preservationist
“I saw fathers and mothers at their gatherings saying their prayers…singing and dancing full of joy all night. At those moments, they could confirm their identity as Ainu.”
Shizue Ukaji (she-zay kah-jee), embroidery artist
“There are things more important than making money - generosity, kindly feelings toward the weak, broad-mindedness, caring for earth.”
Shiro Kayano (shee-roh keye-ah-noh), language keeper
“All that you do is not only your will but the will of your ancestors.”
Rie Kayano (ree keye-ah-noh), oral historian
“All things sent from the heavens always have a role to play.”
Hideo Akibe (hee-day-yoh ah-kee-bay), director Ainu Industrial Arts Association
“You've got the sticks and that but we've got the stories and without the stories the sticks mean nothing.”
Treasy Woods (tree-see woods), artist, Noongar Heritage Group chair
“They come back to their traditional country… A very strong part of (Noongar culture) is you know where your roots are. You come back.”
Glen Colbung (glen coal-bung), president Aboriginal Legal Service
“In the spirit of our early Noongar resistance fighters we assert that we will not surrender our birthrights. We are not for sale.”
Naomi Smith (nay-oh-mee smith), lead claimant Noongar Native Title case