"No matter where you live in America, you’re living on occupied land that indigenous people were murdered for."
Rapper and activist Frank Waln at the outset of “Native America: 7th Generation Rises" (via america-wakiewakie)
@ white people who think wearing eagle feather headdresses is just a costume and doesn’t offend natives, I was at a powwow yesterday and one of the dancer’s who was a war veteran accidentally dropped an eagle feather while dancing and we had to stop the entire powwow, the head man and some other elders had to stop and pray over the feather before picking it up. The guy who dropped the father gave a speech, while almost in tears, about how sorry he was to have dropped the feather and how it represented the choices he had to make in combat and the lives of people that were taken, and he ended up passing the feather on to another young dancer instead of keeping it because he felt so ashamed. This is how much eagle feathers mean to a lot of our nations, and that’s how important it is to native veterans. Wearing eagle feathers as a costume or without having to go through combat is disgusting and you ARE offending our traditions and values. Stop. You cannot understand the importance of our customs and you do not deserve to wear eagle feathers.
Some White people protect sacred lands, my Medicine man said that I could beat Their Niwot’s curse over Boulder valley if I see a Golden Eagle at night. If brother Eagle gives my cracker ass a gift some night, what then? I agree that the ways need to be honored and respected and some White dudes wake up on a warrior path, like, today is a good day to die! Mayan elders came and said do ritual by fire up there on that 1000 year old burial Bluff, I go there and burn that sage, you just never know about some honkies. Peace and respect, Ho!
What the fuck is this? This makes zero sense seriously is it only sage that you’re burning?? Like I read this five times and it has only gotten more confusing, it was easier to learn Russian.
Shout out to the natives who make up that 1% or less around American & Canadian college campuses everywhere. Go to your head of diversity affairs, go to the curriculum officials, demand representation in class courses, safe spaces, and clubs. Go to the nonwhite student coalition and make your voice known, you belong there. Reek havoc when the greeks have their inevitable “pocahottie” costume themed parties, you deserve to feel anger. Stop suffering in silence, you’re not alone, we’re never alone.
Also want to add: don’t be afraid to let yourself be known and heard because the community will be behind you 100%. The advisors at the affairs office will always be there to support you and help you in any way, shape, or form.
Do what is right for you.
Don’t go unheard.
If you’re angry, let the world know.
Don’t show fear
Hold your head high
And fuck anyone who opposes you.
name one native american intellectual off the top of your head, name one native american actor or actress off the top of your head, name one native american senator, one native american news anchor, or an author or a tv personality or a singer or a poet or a comedian, name a single native american teacher you’ve had, can you? probably not
ok so now think of one native american cartoon character you know of or a sports team relating to native americans whether it’s their actual name or their team logo, or a town you live in or near with a “native” name bet a lot of these things came to you right away i bet you didn’t even have to think
needing native representation in media, education and government are not decoy issues, the commercialization and appropriation of native cultures are not decoy issues, the lack of native representation is institutional oppression at work
