Posted on 08/15/25
Jerusalem, Israel - Aug. 15, 2025 - On Thursday evening, the Friends of Zion Museum hosted an uplifting and inspiring program led by Indigenous and Jewish leaders, drawing a warm crowd in the heart of the city at the end of a very hot day. The event was organized by Ateret Shmuel, Executive Director of Indigenous Bridges, a nonprofit, non-partisan international organization dedicated to advancing Indigenous communities worldwide.
Opening remarks were by Jerusalem's former Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who highlighted the city’s biblical and historical roots, calling David HaMelech’s choice of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital a clear sign of the Jewish people’s indigenous rights.
The evening’s main program featured Chief Joseph and Dr. Laralyn RiverWind, founders of FireKeepers International, a Native American charitable organization that advocates for Indigenous rights, teaches ancestral knowledge, preserves traditional survival skills, and fosters cross-cultural connections.
The RiverWinds have been in Israel working with IDF soldiers to strengthen community resilience, provide preparedness training, and volunteer during the ongoing war. Their message of unity and courage resonated deeply with the audience.
Chief Joseph, Ambassador of the Arawak Taino Tribe of Puerto Rico, has served in tribal leadership for a decade, including as War Chief. Dr. Laralyn RiverWind, Ambassador and enrolled member of the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee, is also a voting member of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C.
Their presentation blended storytelling, traditional music, and cultural wisdom. One parable, about a little turtle who kept moving forward despite a cracked shell, symbolized perseverance in hardship. Another moment featured the “Butterfly Song,” reflecting hope and transformation.
The evening also included an exchange of meaningful gifts between Shmuel and the RiverWinds. The RiverWinds thanked Daniel Vocizek of the Friends of Zion with a proclamation they had prepared, but apologized had not had time to frame it.
For many in attendance, people who dedicate their days to sharing Israel’s truth in the face of hostility and antisemitism, it was a rare and much-needed boost of encouragement.
