Please read this, and if you’re non native, it is okay to reblog this, in fact I ask - no, beg - you to.
If you want to be an ally to indigenous peoples of the Americas, don’t be just reblogging stuff anti Col*mb*s, and especially don’t be just ignoring today.
Be reblogging stuff of native greatness. Be talking about us. Talking about our accomplishments, our ability to survive over 500 years of people against us. Talk about Charles Curtis, the first Native American (his mother was fully native of the Kaw, Osage, and Potawatomi tribes) vice president (to Herbert Hoover, served 1929-1933). Talk about the Native American Literature Renaissance throughout the 20th century. Talk about our water protectors out in the Dakotas.Talk about Nancy Reagan, a direct descendant of Matoaka (or as you probably know her, Pocahontas), and while her blood wasn’t much, she often volunteered and helped native communities, she was more native in her spirit than some full natives. Talk about the fact we have built our own media networks, both in movies and tv shows. Talk about how we fought in World War I, despite not even being American citizens (we wouldn’t gain citizenship until 1924). Talk about how the Navajo helped the Allies win World War II, with using their language as codes. Talk about all the great things we’ve done to make this country to how it is today.
And during this, don’t forget the modern issues. Kidnapping of native children and putting them legally through the adoption system (and usually ending up with white adopted parents) is today higher than during the residential school years. The United States to this date refuses to acknowledge or apologize for the schools. Many of our reservations are in water crises (including the Navajo’s who’s have been going on since 1942). Talk about the missing and murdered indigenous women that Canada refuses to acknowledge or help. Talk about that native women are the most likely than any other race to end up becoming sex slaves, and to end up facing rape and domestic abuse, usually by non native men too. Talk about that natives make up less than 1% of the United States and Canada, yet make up 1.9% of police brutality cases, making our rate higher than that of any other race.
Talk about resistances against these. Talk about the Oka Crisis. Talk about those water protectors I mentioned above. Talk about Idle No More.
Don’t forget that the alternate title to this day, and the title we are fighting for, is Indigenous Peoples Day.
Pay attention to us. Talk about us.
