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The Tongva’s response was measured, but it carried the weight of centuries. In a public statement released shortly after the broadcast, they expressed gratitude for Eilish’s recognition of Indigenous histories, but made it clear that acknowledgment alone does not substitute for accountability or meaningful action. They reminded the world—and Eilish herself—that her Southern California home sits on their ancestral territory, and that while she had amplified their story to millions, she had never reached out to them directly or established any dialogue. The distinction was important: visibility is valuable, but respect and relationship cannot be performed from a distance.
