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The larger significance of the Tongva’s response lies in its subtle insistence on relationship over performance. In a culture that frequently prizes spectacle, viral moments, and symbolic gestures, the Tongva remind everyone that recognition must involve listening, learning, and ongoing connection. Their closing words—“Ekwa Shem – We are here”—carry both pride and quiet insistence. They declare that Indigenous communities remain active, present, and deserving of respect, beyond headlines and award show speeches. It is a message that cannot be ignored, co-opted, or reduced to a hashtag.
