Statement on Derek Chauvin Conviction

April 21, 2021

As the country watched with bated breath to learn the jury’s verdict in the Derek Chauvin case, the cruel reality dawned on us that we are inured to state-sponsored violence against people of color. Even after we all witnessed the horrifying murder of George Floyd on camera, deep down inside, we collectively expected his murderer to get away with it. The NUIFC recognizes that the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is a small and rare glimpse of justice in a system designed to allow unaccountable violence towards black people and people of color. We also recognize that true justice requires courage, activism, resistance, and a collective demand to reform the oppressive systems. This step toward justice started with the bravery of a 17-year-old bystander putting herself in harm’s way to document this gross injustice with a cell phone camera, which enraged millions of Americans and inspired a national movement of protests demanding justice and accountability in every major city in America. Together, in solidarity, we made this rare victory possible. 

The NUIFC recognizes the resiliency and strength of our member organizations in Minneapolis, many of which are just a few blocks from the 3rd precinct in Minneapolis - the epicenter and focus of the protests. We watched in horror as MIGIZI, an organization dedicated to empowering Native youth, burned to the ground in the wake of the protests and watched in admiration as that same organization rebuilt and is thriving today. We watched our relatives from the American Indian Movement patrol the streets around Franklin Avenue to keep the Little Earth community safe and protect a cultural corridor for the Native community. We watched as our member centers rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to rebuild their city while demanding accountability and justice with other communities of color.

As we go forward, we must remember that true justice would include George Floyd still being alive, not executed by a system that disproportionally targets black and brown people. We as a nation demand more than a single win in this fight. The NUIFC stands in solidarity with activists and advocates around the country working on system reform. We will remain vigilant in our work toward a society free from state-sponsored violence.

Signed in Solidarity and Love by the Urban Indian Organizations below, 

National Urban Indian Family Coalition

Janeen Comenote, Executive Director, NUIFC
Staff members Rio Fernandes, Audrey Gray, Meila Davis, Michelle Boxley

NUIFC Board and Organizations

Patricia Hibbeler – CEO, Phoenix Indian Center
Ramon Vasquez – Executive Director, American Indians in Texas Spanish Colonial Missions, San Antonio, TX
Sheri Timm-Riemers – Government & Community Relations Director, Ain Dah Yung Center, St. Paul MN

NUIFC Member Centers & Affiliates