Tag Archives: native

Everyone Calls Themselves An Ally, Until It’s Time To Do Some Real Ally Shit

Posted in Educational, Femifesto, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, MMIW, Racism, Working As An Ally (Process Model) by

Another great piece detailing ways to work as an ally (VERB) with communities in which you have privilege.

“Fact: you are the children and grandchildren of oppressed people who seen our lands as means to escape their own oppressive imperialistic leaders. They came and they used racism and religion as the catalyst for the wholesale slaughter of the native peoples. There is a responsibility in this knowledge to do something. More than acknowledgement and more than rallies or marches. Real tangible ways to create meaningful relationships to us and to the land is what the next step in our struggle is.”

GREAT list, in full HERE

Accomplices Not Allies

Posted in Ableism, Body Shaming, Educational, Femifesto, Gender, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, Racism, VAW, Working As An Ally (Process Model) by

This is a great list of some of the issues surrounding the ally industrial complex and claiming ally as an identity. Ally is a VERB. You must be allying, in action, and in ways that are called for my the community you are seeking to ‘help’.

Full list HERE

Winnipeg – Where Canada’s Racism Problem May Be At It’s Worst

Posted in Femifesto, FYI, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, MMIW, Personal, Racism, VAW by

“For decades, the friendly Prairie city has been known for its smiling, lefty premiers, pacifist, Mennonite writers and a love affair with the Jets. Licence plates here bear the tag “Friendly Manitoba.” But events of last fall served to expose a darker reality. The Manitoba capital is deeply divided along ethnic lines. It manifestly does not provide equal opportunity for Aboriginals. And it is quickly becoming known for the subhuman treatment of its First Nations citizens, who suffer daily indignities and appalling violence. Winnipeg is arguably becoming Canada’s most racist city.”

Full piece with links HERE

Mountie Arrests Woman Then Releases Her Into His Own Custody

Posted in FYI, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, Language, MMIW, Racism, VAW by

Couldn’t have said it better myself;

“How is taking a Aboriginal woman who is intoxicated to your home after arresting her as a RCMP officer the start of a “relationship”? Not only is the act horrifying, but the reporting on this shows such a lack of understanding of rape culture – where is the conversation of consent? of power? Come on CBC do better.” – Farrah Khan

Full piece HERE 

Meet Rabbit and Bear Paws; Children’s Comic with Traditional Teachings

Posted in FYI, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, Visual/Audio by

AWESOME series! Representation matters!

“Rabbit and Bear Paws, two brothers, are the main characters of a comic series set in 1750’s colonized North America. Using Traditional Native Teachings and humor, the stories are based on THE SEVEN FIRES PROPHECIES and THE SEVEN GRANDFATHERS. For those that don’t know The Seven Grandfather Teachings are: Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, Truth, Humility, Respect and Love.
“The characters will travel to different parts of the country, from coast to coast in new humorous adventures. In those adventures we will learn about the different cultures and the gifts that they contributed to modern society.”
The creators of the series also made puppets to go along with the comics. These puppets travel to pow wows, schools and other community gatherings to bring laughter and values to the kids.”

Check out more of the piece the powwows.com did on the series HERE
and also the Rabbit and Bear Paws site HERE

Walking With Our Sisters – Vamps

Posted in FYI, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, VAW, Visual/Audio by

I know I’ve posted about WWOS before, and this likely will not be the last time either. Such an incredible project, from the hand beaded vamps and beading groups formed all across turtle island, to the beautiful songs composed by community for this project, to the symbolism of each and every aspect, this is truly a historical event.

Please check out the individually featured vamps on their website. Each and every one is phenomenal and important.

Check them all out HERE

Student Suspended for Speaking Native Language at School

Posted in Femifesto, FYI, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, Language, Personal, Racism by

What damn year is this?!?
Maybe if the public were educated as to the horrors of the Nationally imposed residential schooling system it would be clear just how incredibly HORRIFIC this particular micro-aggression is.
Children were routinely beaten and punished in other ways for speaking their own language in these schools (also referred to sometimes as boarding schools). The desired result was almost achieved, in stripping our people of their beautiful and varied mother tongues. The disconnect around language is still incredibly real and felt in Native communities across turtle island.
So in 2014 for this to be going on and for the response from the general public not to be IMMEDIATE OUTRAGE is maddening!!! The government should be obligated to provide instruction to rebuild our native language speakers to work towards repairing the damage they have intentionally inflicted on Native communities.

“When Miranda was teaching a classmate to say “posoh” and “ketapanen” on January 19, her teacher scolded her.
Native News Network reported her saying “You are not to speak like that! How do I know you’re not saying something bad? How would you like it if I spoke in Polish and you didn’t understand?”
The words Miranda was chastised for translate to “hello” and “I love you” in Menominee.”

Read the full story HERE, and feel free to contact this school and let them know what’s up.

Wab Kinew Replaces Jian Ghomeshi on ‘Canada Reads’

Posted in FYI, Indigenous Culture/Movements/Issues, VAW by

Another great announcement out of the CBC today! I’ll take as much Wab Kinew as I can, thanks! ❤

“I think it’s an awesome show and the rationale for wanting to host it is the same,” he said. “It’s something I think is uniquely Canadian, that we actually have a reality show about books and we can have a show that’s a one-time celebration of literature but on another level is a forum to have some pretty deep conversations about big societal issues.”

LOVE that he’s using his platform to bring attention to the issue of VAW in the wake of such horrendous news. Right on! Be sure to nominate some of your favorites for ‘Canada Reads’