“Nation-states pretend...that they can just destroy cultures and languages, while the rest of us indigenous people have little voice, so we just have to be very, very loud in the way we can be.”
Aaju Peter (eye-you pee-terr), lawyer, activist and sealskin clothes designer
“Our language contains the memory of four thousand years of human survival through the conservation and good managing of our Arctic wealth.”
Eben Hopson (eh-behn hop-sen), founder Inuit Circumpolar Council
“If you know the land it's not a wilderness. The only place I would call wilderness is a place I don't know.”
John Arnatsiaq (jahn ah-naht-see-yak), hunter
“Recall the early vision of our Inuit ancestors to found and maintain a strong Inuit community, looking further back at the deepest roots of our Inuit culture to guide our actions.”
Kitty Gordon (kit-tee gawr-dun), Nunavik Nutrition and Health Committee
“Our entire culture and identity are based on free movement on land, sea ice and the Arctic Ocean.”
Okalik Eegeesiak (oo-kah-lik ee-yee-see-yak), Chair Inuit Circumpolar Council
“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