#support Indigenous communities

[harmonyhealinghub]

Red Dress Day: Honouring Memories and Raising Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

May 6, 2024

Shaina Tranquilino

In Canada, Red Dress Day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing crisis surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S). This solemn occasion, marked by the hanging of red dresses in public spaces, symbolizes the lives lost and the urgent need for justice and systemic change. As we commemorate Red Dress Day, it's crucial to reflect on the profound impact of this crisis and renew our commitment to advocating for the rights and safety of Indigenous communities across the country.

The Significance of the Red Dress:

The red dress has become a powerful symbol in the movement to raise awareness about MMIWG2S. It represents the women, girls, and two-spirit individuals who have gone missing or been murdered, their spirits, and the bloodshed that continues to stain the fabric of Indigenous communities. Each red dress hung serves as a silent tribute, a visual reminder of lives cut short and families torn apart by violence and injustice.

Honouring the Memories:

Red Dress Day is a time for reflection and remembrance. It's an opportunity for communities to come together to honour the memories of those who are no longer with us. Through ceremonies, gatherings, and art installations, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike pay tribute to the lives lost and reaffirm their commitment to seeking justice and accountability. It's a solemn occasion but also a chance to celebrate the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities in the face of adversity.

Raising Awareness and Demanding Action:

Beyond remembrance, Red Dress Day serves as a call to action. It's a reminder that the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people is not a thing of the past but a present-day reality. Indigenous women are disproportionately affected by violence and are more likely to experience homicide or disappearance compared to non-Indigenous women. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for systemic change to address the root causes of this crisis, including colonialism, systemic racism, poverty, and inadequate access to resources and support services.

Advocates and activists use Red Dress Day as an opportunity to raise awareness about MMIWG2S and to demand action from governments, law enforcement agencies, and society at large. They call for improved support services for victims and their families, culturally sensitive policing practices, and meaningful efforts to address the underlying factors that contribute to violence against Indigenous women and girls. By amplifying their voices and advocating for change, they strive to ensure that the lives lost are not forgotten and that future generations can live free from fear and harm.

Red Dress Day is a solemn yet empowering occasion that reminds us of the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people in Canada. As we honour the memories of those who are no longer with us, we must also recommit ourselves to the fight for justice, equality, and respect for Indigenous rights. By standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities and demanding action from our leaders, we can work towards a future where every woman, girl, and two-spirit person is safe, valued, and able to live their lives free from violence and discrimination.

[slitherbop]

[mueritos]

happy indigenous peoples day ^-^ a year ago i found out my family is half indigenous, so ive made it a personal duty to try and reconnect in order to honor those ancestors and histories. it's not my fault that I may never know my tribal affiliation (we know they lived around Popocatépetl), but it is my responsibility to do my best to honor them. since starting grad school, i've made an effort to talk about my indigenous roots more often, and to be honest about the fact that i do consider myself mixed indigenous. I also talk about this taking into account that I have white privilege, and how this has complicated my relationship to indiginiety.

anyway, i went to an ipd event outside of boston today and was so happy!! i had to leave early for a health emergency (thank u random uti) but it was so fun and i experienced and learned a lot. loved the mexica dance group who danced for Huitzilopochtli (i love you Huitzilopochtli he was pulled for me during a tarot reading and he told me to be fucking strong!!!!), and i especially loved experiencing the seven sacred directions where the entire crowd moved as one. i talked to some lovely indigenous people and they gave me so much guidance and love! it made me feel so happy...I wish I was able to stay longer, but I enjoyed being in a space where I was so welcomed.

if you're detribalized like me or trying your best to reconnect, never be ashamed of the fact that you were forcibly removed from your tribal affiliation. never be ashamed of how you look like either! there were so many "white passing" indigenous folks there embracing and celebrating with those in full regalia, and so many people of many appearances joined in for ceremonial dance. even if you're 10% or 3% indigenous, I still think you deserve to know your ancestor's culture and history! i still think you deserve to honor those parts of you! they wanted us to forget about our indigenous roots for a reason, and i refuse to colonize my mind any longer. opening yourself up to indigineity, even if you don't know your affiliation or "how much" is in you, is far better than never learning a damn thing about indigenous folks.

i hope everyone had a lovely indigenous peoples day ^-^

[comrade-onion]

Happy workers day❤️🇵🇸

Creds to PFLP

[atopvisenyashill]

I am so glad you articulated the criticism of Dany crucifying the slavers as a political folly and not a moral folly like listen I am a Dany fan if I could send asks from my sideblog you would know this but I do not believe we are supposed to just brush off the crucifixion like Dany herself isn’t even fully convinced it was the right thing to do. Remembering it she feels sick and has to shut down her doubts and TELL HERSELF it was right. She is an interesting character to me because she can’t stand the compromises she must make to maintain peace AND YET she does want justice and liberation BUT she also hates the suffering and bloodshed of war AND YET she is quick to command violence on impulse. I do think her peace in Meereen was real (big Meereen Knot Essays believer) but all of her internal conflicts lead her to her mistakes. Can’t stand peace but can’t stand war so she just tears herself apart!! It’s tragic! It’s interesting! So much more interesting than an unambiguously heroic Dany who makes no mistakes ever!

Yeah, like....it's certainly morally messy, and I think it's morally more messy because Dany isn't a slave of the Ghiscari like Missandei or an Unsullied like Grey Worm, Red Lamb, etc who is rising up and using violent revolution to liberate the slave class of Meereen - she is a descendant from a foreign, formerly slaving culture that enslaved most of the cultures represented in Meereen, someone of noble birth who has experienced immense suffering but was able to pull herself out of it because of her immense social privilege and magical abilities, using violence in an attempt to liberate those her family had once helped subjugate while...still keeping herself at the top of the pyramid.

There's a lot of mess and contradictions in this situation and I find it much less interesting (as you say) when people paint what Dany is doing here as unambiguously heroic. I know I sound like a broken clock when I say it, but the justification of "well this culture has slavery and slavery is bad" is the exact sort of rationalization many colonial and imperial powers make when conquering. White Americans made it about various Indigenous communities ("oh well the Iroquois had slaves and conquered their neighbors" yeah and white americans had chattel slavery which is objectively worse so what now??), the UK and France used it as a rationale for conquering most of Africa and parts of Asia; there's always this annoying through-line of "well Africans sold themselves into slavery" and I think making this argument that "Well the Ghiscari are brutal slavers" is really similar. And I know people don’t like the dragon/nuke comparison or the imperialism/colonizer comparisons but….what made the genocides of the Americas, and the colonization and imperialism of the 20th centuries stand out from the wars that came before is the sort of hellish combination of nationalism, political schisms, fervent hatred of the Other, and industrial growth. Never before could people amass armies and kill on such a massive scale before. Never before did we have weapons that were so fucking good at killing. Never before did we have the bureaucracy capable of streamlining the process so damn well! (and not for lacking of trying, shout out rome but like...still). I think the dragons are a commentary on that - when someone has access to technology like that, can one person be left to decide if it’s use is good or evil? can one culture not be completely corrupted by their technological advances? can nuclear bombs or weapons Ever be used for good, and if they can be then where is that line drawn? who draws the line? why does that person get to draw the line? I don't think any of this will have a clear answer because that's not exactly how he does things - he's just writing a scenario about this and letting us analyze why it happens on our own.

So it’s like okay the Ghiscari and Dothraki are slaving cultures...Sacking a city is still a violent, destructive thing to do and she does it three times including to a city she is attempting to rule. The moment she had an inkling she might be ruling Meereen, she should have rethought her actions there so she doesn’t start off alienating a large group of people. Coming in as a stranger from a culture who used to be slavers and constantly making comments about how much she hates the culture she’s ruling over is....not great! Dany going back and forth between "I hate these people I was right to crucify them" and "there's too much violence amongst these people I have to stop the violence" is why the issues in Meereen become so complicated. Does she have reasons for acting this way? Yes! It doesn't change the outcome of her actions!

What's interesting about her is that as you say, she does realize this conflicting dichotomy within herself! That’s like, the entire issue she’s facing in Meereen - she wants peace because she knows that’s what’s best for the people there and yet struggles to control her boredom and temper because she is too traumatized to sit still any longer. She’s associated the constant move, the constant fight, the violence and blood and death and destruction with righteousness, justice, goodness, and we can SEE it’s having a negative effect on her psyche, her emotions. She’s not HAPPY by the ending of adwd, she’s not self actualized, she’s just hardened herself completely in the face of this unending monster of a campaign. She wants off this ride and yet she’s unable to find a way out. I don’t think we’re meant to cheer her on here!! SHE is barely cheering herself on here!!! It’s a burden to her!!!!

[steelbluehome]

July 4th is the birthday of Steve "Captain America" Rogers.

The celebrations will be nationwide in the United States of America.

Festivities may include: barbecue or grilling, loud music, your great-auntie's infamous potato salad, games (cornhole, baseball, basket ball, euchre, poker, tug-of-war, which couple will start fighting first, etc.), a body of water (lake, swimming pool, kiddie pool, the pond left in the yard after hours of kids running through the sprinkler), coolers of beverages, almost always some of which will be alcoholic, bags and bags of ice, fireworks displays (professional, amateur, illegal, dumbass, drunk dumbass, sparklers) and many generations coming together to yell and scream with and at eachother, and, always, pictures.

For many people this is an old and treasured tradition. Usually the only time it coincides with the state or condition of America as a country is when someone plays patriotic country music, or misplaced songs which are actually critical of America (Born in the USA, This is America, Living in the USA, Independence Day, Pink House's (Ain't That America), American Girl, American Woman, American Pie, etc.) which is funny as hell. Of course, there can be vicious political arguments as well. That's always fun.

The theme will be red, white, and blue.

Participation is voluntary.

[noneedtofearorhope]

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, approximately seven hundred people experiencing or at risk of homelessness are killed from hypothermia annually in the so-called United States.

Absolutely no one should be left to sleep outside during cold weather yet a range of factors may force people to sleep in the cold; from discriminatory shelters kicking people out, being kicked out of a house during a storm, being forced to flee an abuser, simply being unprepared, etc. Raids sweeps and anti-homeless laws, such as anti-camping ordinances push people to camp in hidden and dispersed areas which puts them more at risk.

[magnoliamyrrh]

i got said drum!! very excited to have it when i get back to america woooo

[harmonyhealinghub]

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: An Ongoing Tragedy

Shaina Tranquilino

October 4, 2023

The issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is a devastating tragedy that has plagued Indigenous communities for decades. Despite being deeply rooted in the history of colonization, it remains an ongoing crisis that demands immediate attention. This blog post aims to shed light on this heartbreaking reality and urges society to acknowledge, address, and support initiatives aimed at ending the violence.

A Historical Context:

To truly understand the gravity of the situation, we must recognize the historical context in which this epidemic has unfolded. Since European colonization began in North America, Indigenous women have faced systemic discrimination, marginalization, and violence. These injustices persist today as a direct result of centuries-long oppression and the erosion of Indigenous cultures.

Disturbing Statistics:

The statistics surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women are both shocking and disheartening. According to a 2016 report by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), there were over 5,700 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous American women recorded in the United States alone. Alarmingly, many believe these numbers may be underestimated due to underreporting or misclassification by law enforcement agencies.

Root Causes:

Numerous factors contribute to this crisis. Poverty, limited access to education and healthcare services, high rates of domestic violence within communities, institutional racism, inadequate law enforcement response, and human trafficking all play significant roles in perpetuating this cycle of violence against Indigenous women.

The Need for Awareness & Advocacy:

Raising awareness about this issue is crucial towards mobilizing action to end it. It requires educating ourselves and others about the plight faced by Indigenous women who continue to disappear or be victimized every day. Social media campaigns like #MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) have played a pivotal role in bringing attention to their stories while demanding justice.

Government Action & Accountability:

Addressing this crisis necessitates a multi-faceted approach. Governments at all levels must take concrete steps to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, including improving collaboration between law enforcement agencies, enhancing victim services, and implementing culturally sensitive policies. Additionally, funding programs that empower Indigenous communities and strengthen support systems are essential for long-term change.

Community Empowerment:

Indigenous communities have been fighting tirelessly to protect their women and girls. Supporting grassroots organizations led by Indigenous people who understand the unique challenges faced by their community is crucial in eradicating this issue. By amplifying voices from within these communities, we can ensure that culturally appropriate solutions are implemented while fostering healing and resilience.

The missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis demands urgent attention from society as a whole. Recognizing the historical context, understanding the systemic issues involved, advocating for awareness, holding governments accountable, and empowering affected communities are all integral components of bringing an end to this deeply entrenched tragedy.

To honour the lives lost and prevent future victimization, it is our collective responsibility to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities and work towards creating a world where every woman feels safe, valued, and protected. Only through unity can we hope to achieve justice for the missing and murdered Indigenous women who deserve nothing less than our unwavering commitment to ending this heartbreaking reality once and for all.

[shorlinesorrows]

I feel like people forget about this too often, so just a reminder that we are in the second year of UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages

(Basic info: A decade to prevent the disappearance of 3,000 languages – UNESCO-IESALC)

[toadlyturtle]

Help @sabilewsounds

[reflectionsofgalaxies]

god, grief hits you at the weirdest fucking times

[cjoatprehn]

Late night Loch Update

Ooeugh I’m in pain from pushing my body to far with the rigorous cleaning. However, it’s done now. A huge thing I am trying to work on is keeping things consistent, especially when it comes to uplifting others and ensuring everyone levels up as well.

Even if you don’t have some cents to spare, please interact with the YouTube video itself so that the YouTube algorithm will push it out to more folks…folks who will be able to financially assist Loch and their partner.

If you do have the ability to support, I am debating making a ko-fi tier for folks whose funds go to specifically direct mutual aid to any one of these on my pay it forward and current events subpages; or to folks I know need the financial assistance.

I have more updates, however, I must sleep as my own partner is coming over tomorrow. I wish to be well rested for the discussion of our future and also…I miss them and wish to see them again.

Sharing, liking, commenting on this post and/or the video will really help out. Thank you!

[Uplifting Folks] @catsaredragons, @taeclys, @cryptidnearby D&D 5e for Meds!

Update at 10:30PM May 25, 2024

One short premiered today to uplift @catsaredragons and @cryptidnearby, I removed a comment received but I must reiterate that this is released.

If yall could like/comment/share these for the algorithm? YouTube analytics is giving me fire and brimstone for me not doing enough when I’m doing my best.

[zozo-01]

wip wednesday (university edition)

So, @darlincollins, @konnorhasapen and my darlin' @gingerbreadmonsters tagged me for today. After asking Gingerina if I can post an assignment wip instead, because homegirl has notttt been writing, she said "lmao, do it," SO HERE WE ARE!!!! A lil ting from my econ assignment!!!

--

According to Dinner Party Economics, the Human Development Index (HDI) is defined to be a tool to help governments measure several quality of life aspects of a country. This includes life expectancy, education and income.[1] Canada’s current HDI Index was 0.937 in 2022, which is considered to be a good score.[2] However, a study done by Indigenous Service Canada found that across the board, Indigenous peoples score a lower HDI number compared to other Canadians. The most recent and lowest score belongs to Indigenous peoples who live on reserves, with a score 0.69.[3] This score is to be expected as reserve communities are faced with the water crisis the hardest. However, this score can be improved and lead to economic growth. A study done by Harvard University found that the economy is does better when the health of its citizens is at their best.[4] Improving the HDI score for Indigenous folk can drastically affect the Canadian economy in a beneficial way.

The labour force participation rate is the rate of the population who are currently employed by an organization.[1] Overall, the labour force participation rate of Indigenous peoples is lower than those who aren’t of Indigenous descent.[2] Ted Wannell and Sheila Currie did some preliminary research and found that there was a correlation between the infrastructure of water treatment systems and the employment of the Indigenous peoples in that communities.[1] While there is more research that needs to be done, this idea is not an unfounded one. Many Indigenous travel far distances to get fresh and drinkable water, as is the case with Ashley Sakanee.[2] The time spent getting water can be used to looking and working a job. Improving the water quality can increase the labour force participation rate of Indigenous peoples.

To put simply, the multiplier effect is the proportional amount of spending (or lack thereof) that an organization does that causes other organizations to spend as well. This can be beneficial to restart the economy during a recession period. Since one company is spending money, another company may also spend to keep up, giving the economy a boost.[1] The government is clearly willing to spend money into this cause, as stated by their federal budget.[2] The government money used in this solution will be given to manufacturing companies to the spending more to build water treatment facilities. This extra spending done by the government and these companies can kickstart the economy further to recover from the downturn brought by the pandemic. 

[abugscreations]

Wolf & Eagle Feathers, inked on paper

Made for my best friend @immenseheadaches / @shmilliot

[tanksarefluffy]

Hey I saw you talking about blood quantum and connecting with culture. This might seem kind of out of nowhere but maybe check out indigenous australian activists and communities sometime? We talk about this stuff a LOT over here for History Reasons and I've seen some native americans talk about how its been helpful for them

I actually have been, that’s what made me confident enough to try reconnecting, it made me realize that participating in my culture and pretending to be racially Native American when racially I’m white are two different things. I think it’s very cool how there’s been an effort to incorporate mixed (or even people that would not be considered mixed by the arbitrary cut off) people into aboriginal Australian communities. While I would not consider myself mixed race, I certainly consider myself White and Native American. At the end of the day, the blood quantum was made to erase Native communities and the more people disregard it the harder that is to do.