Native people are tied by thousands of years of cultural heritage to the land and sea. I say stand firm to the people of Savoonga and Gambell.

If an exodus of rural Natives to the cities is to occur, the leadership of our Native organizations will have to first set up ways to protect our women, elders and children from the racists and bigots that prey upon our people. 

And shield them from becoming fodder for anti-Native sentiments that grace these pages time and again. This is all encouraged by a president Donald Trump who incites violence by and from his followers everywhere he goes.

So far, they have been loath to do just that when in fact it is as easy as a decision to do the right thing.