Tobias B. Jacoby '00, a member of the Catholic Students Association, described his personal interest in the vigil as "remembering the spirituality and culture of the indigenous people of the Americas."

Several students at the vigil echoed the organizers' desire to raise awareness of non-traditional views about the colonization of America.

Lee-Sean Huang '02 said his experience in studying history typically showed the European view of the colonization of a new land, ignoring the view of the people who already lived there.

After Rodman's opening address, NAHR Co-Chair Ethel B. Branch '01 discussed the events following Columbus' landing in 1492, which affected the religions, languages, ideologies and ways of life of the indigenous peoples.

Participants were then free to contribute their own views to the group, which included readings and the powerful singing of Wesley Ray Thomas.

Thomas, who is part Cherokee and a member of the Boston Lyric Opera, performed a traditional Comanche song, as well as a version of what in English is "Amazing Grace" but was also an anthem of his people when the U.S. government relocated them to Oklahoma.

He said he was drawn to the event by its potential to raise awareness.