The 2009 National Days of Prayer to Protect Native American Sacred Places will take place from June 19-23.

The Washington, D.C., observance will be held on Monday, June 22, at 8:45am United States Capitol Grounds, West Front Grassy Area. Other forums, ceremonies and events are scheduled across the country.

"Native and non-Native people nationwide gather at this time for Solstice ceremonies and to honor sacred places, with a special emphasis on the need for Congress to build a door to the courts for Native nations to protect our traditional churches,” said Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne & Hodulgee Muscogee), the president of The Morning Star Institute, which organizes the National Sacred Places Prayer Days.

Harjo expressed hope that President Barack Obama will support greater protections for sacred sites. He made the issue a part of his campaign platform.

“Twenty-one years have passed without Congress creating that door to the courthouse for Native Americans,” said . Harjo, referring to a U.S. Supreme Court decision from 1988. “Now, with the support of the President, we pray that this will be the last year we are denied justice. Native and non-Native people are gathering, again, to call on anyone who will listen to help protect these national treasures and to do something about this national disgrace that threatens them.”

For more information, please see www.indianz.com/boardx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37481.