There have been some positive things that have happened for the

The words of John Trudell—“There have been some positive things that have happened for the tribes, but it’s a constant, vigilant fight about protecting what resources we have in terms of land and rights”—carry the weight of centuries of struggle, loss, and endurance. They do not speak with naïve joy, nor with despair, but with the balanced truth of one who has lived long in the fire of resistance. Yes, there are victories, but each is fragile; yes, there is progress, but it must be guarded with vigilance. For the story of the tribes is one of resilience against forces that sought to erase them, and their survival is testimony to an indomitable spirit.

The origin of this wisdom lies in the long history of Indigenous peoples who have fought to protect their sacred land and inherent rights. From the earliest days of colonization, treaties were signed, broken, and rewritten, always demanding that the tribes surrender more of what was theirs. Yet even in the face of betrayal, they endured. Trudell’s words remind us that freedom for the tribes is not a gift bestowed, but a battlefield upon which each generation must stand. What progress comes is hard-won, and must be defended lest it slip away.

Consider the story of the Cherokee Nation and the Trail of Tears. Forced from their ancestral land, thousands perished in the march westward. Yet even after this devastation, the Cherokee rebuilt schools, governments, and communities, determined to preserve their culture and sovereignty. Their endurance embodies the truth of Trudell’s words: even when some positive steps are taken, survival for the tribes requires relentless defense of their dignity and resources.

In more recent memory, think of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, who stood against the Dakota Access Pipeline. They fought not only for their water and land, but for the principle that Indigenous voices must be heard in decisions affecting their future. Though the battle was fierce and the outcome complicated, their movement drew the eyes of the world and reminded all humanity that the struggle for rights and resources is not past but present. It is indeed a constant fight, one that demands courage and unity.

The lesson here is clear: nothing of value is preserved without vigilance. The land is more than soil; it is the foundation of culture, spirit, and survival. The rights of a people are not luxuries; they are the breath of their freedom. To let down the guard is to risk losing all that was fought for. But to remain vigilant is to honor the ancestors who carried the flame through darkness, and to prepare the ground for those yet unborn.

Practical wisdom calls us to act in our own measure. Protect the resources entrusted to you, whether they be land, tradition, or family. Do not take for granted the victories already won—honor them by defending them. Stand beside those who struggle for justice, for their fight is bound to your own, even if you do not see it at first. Support Indigenous voices, learn their histories, and ensure their stories are not erased. For when one people’s rights are violated, the dignity of all is diminished.

Thus, let Trudell’s words be remembered not as lament but as guidance: life is a battlefield where what is precious must be guarded with vigilance. For the tribes, this has meant centuries of struggle for survival and sovereignty. For us all, it is a reminder that freedom, dignity, and harmony with the earth are never secured once and for all—they must be claimed and reclaimed in every age. To be vigilant is not to live in fear, but to live in strength, carrying forward the sacred duty to protect what gives life.