Monday was the day for Indigenous Peoples, and they came to share their story and their art. It was incredible.
We only were able to get there late in the day, intending to be at the General Assembly. A bit of rain, but it seemed most folks stayed. Just before the GA there was an incredible show of native dance, with patient explanations for us novices, and chances to join in if you wished. Many came from South Dakota to share with us, families of dancers, costumes, everything. At the end we all formed into a Circle of Life, dancing completely around the central fountain, hundreds of people joining hands. The simple things are always the most impressive.
Finally in the evening, the GA. After the long day, the basic choice was to limit the work to forming some small groups for discussion, with the intent to have the formal GA until Tuesday evening. Learning to work in the larger group will be the first order of serious business. We really need to come to some sort of process to make this work for everyone.
So far it's all been peaceful and calm for us. Other cities are finding their situations are more difficult. We all need to do what we can to stay involved, keep showing up and maintain our cause for as long as it takes. Tuesday is day five for OccupyMN, and is a workday... people, traffic and a real need to coexist in the working city. This is where we find out what we're really all about.
More sign pics from Monday evening here... you can see in some of them things were damp, but it didn't seem to be a problem.