COVID has disproportionately attacked indigenous communities. Under these conditions and over the past several months, Allie Young '13 strategically assembled a team of gifted Native American activists alongside supportive celebrity "super heroes" with strong indigenous followings for a live virtual discussion to help promote these important social issues.
The September 26th Protect the Sacred event featured President Jonathan Nez of the Navajo nation and three dedicated young indigenous women activists, plus celebrities Mark Ruffalo, Paul Rudd, and Mark Hamill . Notable in the conversation are details about the enduring love for the Star Wars films among Native peoples; the event concluded with an online screening of Star Wars: A New Hope translated into the Navajo language.