#native american rights

[reasonsforhope]

"Colorado is poised to be the first state to to expand automatic voter registration to Native American reservations, thanks to a new registration system.

Tribal members have the right to vote in elections, from the local to the national level, just like other U.S. citizens. But actually casting a ballot has been an uphill battle for many tribal residents, including those here in Colorado. Even after obtaining official U.S. citizenship a century ago, Native Americans’ ability to vote has been consistently ignored or actively undermined. In recent decades, unequal access to in-person voting, early voting and election funding on tribal lands has been a particular issue...

Working with Colorado tribes, state lawmakers passed a set of election reforms earlier this year to expand voting access for Native Americans. Those reforms include the nation’s first automatic voter registration program of its kind for Native Americans. The program will cover both of the federally-recognized Native American reservations in the state—the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and will allow the tribes’ governments to submit lists of members to be registered through the Secretary of State Jena Griswold’s office.

Griswold said the new registration system could make a big difference for Colorado's tribal communities.

"Seeing registration rates and turnout rates being much, much lower on tribal lands is a big problem that we want to solve,” Griswold said. “I personally believe automatic voter registration is one of the best ways to register voters in the state of Colorado, and all of our data shows how highly effective it is.”

Colorado is one of more than two dozen states that have automatic voter registration systems, but Colorado is the only state so far to extend its system to cover Native American reservations. When Colorado rolled out its system for the first time in 2020, about 250,000 people were added to the state’s voter rolls within the first year.

Now, [Secretary of State] Griswold hopes the new registration program will have a similar effect on tribal lands in the state. She wants to see the program in place in time for the 2024 election. For now, tribal leadership is reviewing the plan and providing feedback on it.

“It will not take us much time to register people once we start receiving data,” Griswold told KUNC. “But I think there's a couple of logistics to still work through.”

Measures to keep tribal members' information confidential were added recently at the request of the Southern Ute tribe, and lawmakers have also increased the number of on-reservation vote centers available for early voting and on Election Day.

This year’s election reforms also build on a slew of changes in recent years. For example, in 2019 Colorado lawmakers guaranteed in-person voting centers on tribal lands and loosened address requirements for voters."

-via GoodGoodGood, December 15, 2023

#colorado #native american #indigenous #first nations #indigenous rights #native american rights #united states #us politics #automatic voter registration #voter registration #election 2024 #2024 election #voting access #democrats #voting matters #voting #voting rights #ute #good news #hope

[rebeccathenaturalist]

This is a big deal. No, $48,692.05 is in no way, shape or form a fair price for the many thousands of acres of traditional Chinook land that were never ceded but were taken by settlers anyway. However, the fact that this funding from the 1970 Indian Claims Commission settlement is being released to the tribe is the strongest move toward regaining recognition in years.

As a bit of background, the Chinook Indian Nation are some of the descendants of many indigenous communities who have lived in the Columbia-Pacific region and along the Columbia to the modern-day Dalles since time immemorial. They saw the arrival of the Lewis & Clark party to the Pacific Ocean in 1805, but shortly thereafter were devastated by waves of diseases like malaria and smallpox. The survivors signed a treaty to give up most of their land in 1851, but it was never ratified by the United States government. While some Chinookan people are currently part of federally recognized tribes such as the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Reservation, the Chinook Indian Nation--comprised of the Lower Chinook, Clatsop, Cathlamet, Willapa, and Wahkiakum--have remained largely unrecognized.

That changed briefly in 2001. On January 3 of that year, the Department of the Interior under the Clinton administration formally recognized the Chinook Indian Nation. In July 2002, the Bush administration revoked the federal recognition after complaints from the Quinault Indian Nation, as the Chinook would have had access to certain areas of what is now the Quinault reservation. This meant that the Chinook, once again, were denied funding and other resources given to federally recognized tribes, to include crucial healthcare funding during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinook Indian Nation has been fighting legal battles to regain federal recognition ever since the revocation. The funding released to them in this month's court decision doesn't make them federally recognized, but it is a show of legitimacy in a tangled, opaque system that indigenous people across the United States have had to contend with for many decades. Here's hoping this is a crack in the wall keeping the Chinook from recognition, and that they get more good news soon.

#Chinook Indian Nation #Chinook #Chinookan people #indigenous people #indigenous Americans #indigenous rights #landback #federal recognition #Bureau of Indian Affairs #Native American #Native American rights #civil rights #United States

[romanarose]

Y'all gotta read this

In 1969, a group of native Americans seized the island of Alcatraz for over a year. You can read more about it on your own, but in my race and ethnicity in America class my professor shared this document from the group offering to buy the land. It's mostly satirical, please give it a read.

I fucking love this.

#history #history major #history nerd #native american rights #indigenous right #alcatraz

[noctivagantpodcast]

I Live On Stolen Land

Consider donating to one of these wonderful charities dedicated to preserving the cultures, livelihoods, rights, and dignity of Indigenous peoples.

First Nations Development Institute. Information taken from their 'Our Programs' page: Grantmaker dedicated to addressing financial inequality and its many, many negative impacts. In additional to financial aid, FNDI provides job training and participates in policy-making and advocacy, often focusing on environmental concerns, food insecurity, and tribal sovereignty. Some examples of current projects include "Fortifying Our Forests" AKA restoring and protecting sacred land in partnership with the Forest Service, Native Language Immersion Initiative AKA ensuring the survival of Native languages, and Native Farm To School AKA connecting Native youth with traditional means of growing and harvesting food.

Native American Rights Fund A registered non-profit that provides legal representation in matters of Native interest, be that a single individual or an entire tribe. Since their inception, they have won cases that made critical contributions to the advancement of Native rights in the United States. Their efforts have helped uphold tribal sovereignty, compelled museums, universities, and other institutions to return the remains of Native ancestors, and protected the voting rights of pretty much everyone.

Redhawk Native American Arts Council This organization's primary focus is on the preservation of Native American arts through educational programs. We can also thank them for granting scholarships to Native students seeking higher education, and for running a youth program which aims to help Urban Indigenous youth connect with their heritage through the arts.

Seventh Generation Fund A "fiscal sponsor" for smaller community groups that are run by and for Native tribes/individuals, with the focus of preserving heritage and defending tribal sovereignty, as well as continued survival post-genocide. One example of their work is the Flicker Fund, a disaster fund dedicated to supporting Indigenous communities during times of crisis, be that a pandemic, extreme weather, or a severe drought. Another is the Traditions Bearers Fellowship, which provides financial support to tribal community members who carry on pre-colonization traditions.

Quiluete Move To Higher Ground Stephanie Meyer committed a serious of egregious acts of cultural appropriation and exploitation, and made a very large fortune off a very real tribe. This very real tribe now finds themselves living in a tsunami zone and unable to afford a move to a safer area. As of 2022, the move of the Tribal School, the most important phase, is complete, but there's much more work to be done.

Indigenous Women Rising Abortion Fund A fund to provide Native individuals and family access to abortion care, menstrual hygiene supplies, and midwifery. Here are two separate articles verifying their status as the ONLY indigenous specific (and Indigenous led) abortion fund. For more information on how the destruction of Roe V Wade has negatively impacted Indigenous women, look here and here.

South Dakota Historical Society Foundation So, this isn't a Native led or Native specific organization, but, they work closely with Indigenous communities in South Dakota to preserve their heritage alongside the state's history. I recently had a lovely conversation with one of their representatives about the Ghost Shirt their society is sheltering until such a time as the tribe it rightfully belongs to can house it safely. Article about the shirt's repatriation with some cool info on the shirt's history is here.

#native american rights #indigenous issues #indigenous activism #native american art

[c0rps3g0bbl3r]

Hi I’ve seen some people go “Nex’s murder is awful but don’t forget about Palestine” and I’m here to say DONT DO THAT.

These are both situations that deserve attentions. They are both wars founded on colonization rhetoric and racism. They are both valid and incredibly important to talk about.

I know it’s difficult to see, but Native Americans are suffering everyday. American and Canadian politics/news outlets are just VERY good at hiding the thousands of Natives who have died to malicious neglect. Thousands have over the last 150 years of treaties and Millions have died collectively.

These numbers run parallel to the Palestinian genocide for very similar reasons. Genocide is genocide no matter how you split it. So:

FIGHT for Palestinian Rights and Freedom

AND

FIGHT for Indian Rights and Freedom

Don’t separate ranks, don’t disuade discussion and demand for change, and certainly do not create spaces for White martyrdom to continue to fuel colonization and genocide.

Doing ANY of that IS contributing to colonization, and unlearning is a bitch process for all of us! That’s okay. Be okay with grieving and fighting together, never apart.

#free palestine #free gaza #nex benedict #native indian #native american #native american rights #palestine #palestinian rights #queer #queer community #lgbt #lgbtq community #intersectionality #allyship

[queerindigenouspagan]

Indigenous People's Day

"Fuck Columbus"

Great, so true, but how else are you going to show up for Indigenous people today? Columbus has been dead for hundreds of years. While it's perfectly acceptable, and encouraged, to shit talk Columbus, that shouldn't be the only course of action that you take today if you consider yourself to be an Indigenous ally.

Do the work. Learn about some of the current issues affecting Native communities, and then identify Indigenous leadership who are leading actions against those issues. But don't stop there because the work doesn't end at learning. Being an ally is an active process. I'm tired of "allies" simply reblogging some posts and calling it a day.

How are you unlearning colonial thinking? When is the last time you consumed Indigenous media? There are so many amazing films, tv series, and songs produced by and starring Indigenous people. Find them and consume them. Indigenous media matters. How are you demanding justice for Indigenous people? When is the last time you attended a protest relating to Indigenous issues? If you have the ability and means to, get out on the streets. We need numbers to keep the movement going. If you can't physically attend a protest, there are plenty of other ways to help! Designing flyers, infographics, etc. Sending educational emails to keep those in the movement updated. Recruiting. Scheduling events. Securing venue locations. Getting permits. When is the last time you purchased from an Indigenous-owned business? How many Indigenous people do you follow/interact with on social media? Social media provides an incredibly easy way to engage with Indigenous culture and people. How are you raising awareness for the Indigenous people in your everyday life? How are you learning to center Indigenous people? How are you supporting Indigenous sovereignty?

If you're based on the American continents, have you learned the name of the Indigenous peoples whose land you're on? Have you considered paying taxes to that group/tribe (yes, that's something that some states/counties will allow!)? When is the last time that you've been to a powwow? I can't even say how many times I've had non-Indigenous people (primarily White people) tell me that they thought they had to be specifically invited to a powwow by a Native person, or that powwows are closed practices. Please attend your local powwows! Most are open to the public and it's a great place to (respectfully) learn about and directly engage with and support Indigenous culture and people.

I don't want to see anyone (aside from Indigenous people) saying "Happy Indigenous People's Day" or "Fuck Columbus" without doing the necessary work to truly support those statements.

#indigenous peoples day #indigenous #fuck columbus #native american #indigenous rights #native american rights #columbus day

[fr0ggs]

made a simple call script for calling congresspeople about the numerous genocides taking place worldwide currently, urging them to respond and call for intervention/ceasefire. feel free to use this, and if anyone has any advice for additions, please let me know. please do what you can, the people will be free.

 Hello, my name is [name, optional], and I am a constituent of [congressperson]. I am calling about the numerous genocides happening worldwide. At this point in time, you are likely already aware of the genocide of Palestinian people, but there are many more genocides happening in the world, and the overlooking of such happenings, while innocents continue to suffer, must end.

Currently, Congolese, Armenian, Tigrayan, Yemeni, Guatemalan, Rohingya, Haitian, Native American, Kashmiri, Kurd, Sudanese, Ukrainian, Argentinian, Afghan, Moroccan, Libyan, Syrian, Lebanese, and many more people are experiencing genocide (or close risk of it, according to genocidewatch.com), ethnic cleansing, displacement, and the like. Also currently, the United States government continues to be not only complicit, but supportive of these attacks out of ignorance and selfish benefit.

In order to maintain current support, it is dire that you side with the people. Please do research on each and take a look into doing whatever possible to save the innocent people around the world from living a life of constant abuse and murder. Thank you for your time."

#keep eyes on sudan #keep eyes on congo #free palestine #free tigray #free yemen #free haiti #free kashmir #free armenia #free guatemala #free rohingya #native american rights #free congo #free sudan

[lericekrispie]

TW/ mention of rape (nongraphic by a priest) and the Native Genocide

In Honor of Indigenous Awareness Month here's a quick overview what my life has looked like being Indigenous

My parents didn't raise me Native, bc they were told that being white was better. So I didn't have much other than just the dreamcatchers on the walls and some stories my Grandma told me.

It wasn't until I had a dream about some ones funeral the night they passed in their sleep that Grandma told me it was bc of me being Native.

I didn't know what that was supposed to mean. I didn't know what that meant to me.

Flash forward a few years, I've had a couple dreams here and there but more-so I've been hungry. I'd been searching the internet, searching books, asking my grandma questions. Information, correct information at that, was hard to come by. But when I found the right sources, oh boy was there so much. Everything was so vibrant, everything felt familiar. It was more interesting than learning about the Greeks in class, any history lesson, any religion less, it was full and enticing and beautiful, but we never learned about it. Because the U.S. would rather let something this beautiful be swept under the rug rather than admitting to a genocide.

I'm more into my culture now. My family is more into my culture now. I'm learning my language. I've connected with new relatives.

I will never forget the day that my Grandma told me she was proud of me for making her and the family better.

I've been having more dreams. My spirit guide (a black indigenous man who when i first met offered my a drink at a bar) always warns me when something bad is about to happen, or I'm making the right choice about a big decision.

But I've been laughed at for my name. Nobody can say it right.

I cannot register for enrollment in the tribe, despite my Grandma being full blood. It just so happened that my Grandma's parents were from two separate tribes, and the Blood Quantum only takes one. Thats why I don't count, even tho I have that blood from my mother's side, and some extra from my Father, who is mostly yaqui but was adopted.

My relative said "you know what horses, dogs, and Indians all have in common"

The government requires them to have a pedigree

No white person ever knows what a blood quantum is. I have to explain it. It's current and active genocide.

Nobody knows about ICWA. I wrote my final paper on it. My professor gave me a personalized note saying that he thinks that I'm going to go places, and that was one of the best essays he got. He could feel my passion through the page. My people are dying.

When I said a Native prayer because I was showing off how much I had learned, a acquaintance started making nonsense noise at me, making fun of the way I sounded.

When I smudged at a Halloween Party because some people wanted me to help protect them for evil, some people started laughing that I was doing witch craft.

The first tag that pulls up when I search Native is "#Native Women"

I'm three times as likely to get sexually assaulted. Not by other Native people. By White people.

People don't say I look Native. But if you look for more than one second, that's wrong. I get pale in the winter but really dark in the summer, like a lot of Natives. My face is Native. I have my mother's cheekbones. I wear my weight like a every Native I've ever seen about my size. My hair is dark. My eyes squint when I smile. I was always told to take photos again and again bc I was blinking. I didn't know that was a Native thing. My Grandma said people don't think I'm Native because they're so stupid they'd only realize if I wore a beaded headband and a ribbon skirt.

I have to explain and ask teachers all the time if they know something they are showing in class is racists. Sometimes its a yes, and we'll talk about that, or a no, but can you talk about that. My brother who is 13 was never taught about what happened to the native people, and only knew because I told him. I've always have had to know, because nobody else does.

I left the church after the curtain was pulled back. My Grandma who is 70 was forced into a Catholic School when she was young. The priest raped the girls

I was told never to go to the reservation. My mom remembers it as poverty, going to the salvation army and picking up clothes. My grandma remembers it as the place where she was an alcoholic, and she's fought to stay sober for more than half her life now but that only started when she left. My Aunt remembers it as the place her mama got beat by her good for nothing White Ex Husband.

I have no representation. All the old shit is always racist. I'm used as a figure head at sports and as decorations, I'm not human to them.

Nobody admits the Genocide is currently happening.

My sister was pulled in without her permission to the front office with no warning to talk for morning announcements how's she just like the rest of the white kids despite being Native. They gave her a script. Then afterwords they had the audacity to ask for a photo of her in her childhood doing 'native things'. Mom laughed and said she should've told her she didn't have any photos because she was "just like them".

I realized school was never for me, because I was always learn better the Indian way.

Whenever I see a Native person in the wild, and they notice me, there is already a bond there. If I asked them for anything, to talk, for a ride, they would give it to me. If they did so, so would I. My native friends i met in college I adored like they were my cousins.

I've learned that despite me being raised white, I was actually raised Native. My parents give and give and give. They give to the community, their lives are dedicated to help people. That's the Native way. We bleed compassion, and if someone in my community needs my last 5 bucks, they'll get it because I know someone else in my community will help me to not starve, and when they are starving I'll help them too.

Please listen to Native people. Here's to Indigenous Awareness Month.

#mine #text post #native american #indigenous #activism #native american history #native american rights #native pride

[berniesrevolution]

IN THESE TIMES

In mid-January, Montana state Senator Keith Regier floated the idea of a bill that would call on federal lawmakers to investigate alternatives to the tribal reservation system, created by federal legislation in 1851 in an effort to silo Native American people, remove them from their traditional way of life and create space for white settlers. Regier claimed he was motivated by genuine concern for the ​“lives and well-being” of Native Americans and all Montanans, asserting the system was built on race and that reservations are not ​“in the best interests of either the Indians inside our borders or for our common Montana citizen.” But Native lawmakers and tribal advocates saw it as something different: the latest, and perhaps most blatant, but far from only attempt to undermine tribal sovereignty.

“They knew exactly what they were doing,” said Travis McAdam, who directs pro-democracy efforts at the Montana Human Rights Network. The text of Regier’s draft resolution refers to substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty and dependence on welfare systems. ​“It was really slandering them with these gross, racist stereotypes that have existed for a long time,” McAdam said. ​“The draft was an offensive piece of legislation.”

After swift pushback from the Montana American Indian Caucus and activists, political will for the legislation dissipated, and Rieger announced he would not formally introduce a bill.

Still, an even more serious threat to tribes across the entire country looms large. A decision on the Supreme Court case Brackeen v. Haaland—a direct assault on the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and by extension, the very right of tribes to be classified as sovereign nations — is expected later this month.

Enacted in 1978, ICWA was part of the federal government’s efforts to rectify the incomprehensible harm it caused to Native families through the forcible removal of Native children from their communities into boarding schools or non-Native foster and adoptive homes. Between 1819 and 1969, hundreds of thousands of children were taken from their families and homes.

ICWA establishes minimum standards for a Native child to be removed from their home and empowers tribes to be more involved in adoption and custody procedures for kids enrolled or eligible to enroll in tribal nations. The law gives tribal courts exclusive jurisdiction over members who live on tribal land, in the hopes of keeping families together, and creates a process whereby they’re noticed and involved in cases outside of these boundaries.

For years, people and organizations hostile to ICWA have tried to erode the legislation through the court system. Should ICWA fall, it’s not only adoption and foster cases that will be gravely impacted; the basic foundations of tribal sovereignty could be unwound. Observers in Indian Country have long believed that attacks on the legislation have broader aims in mind than the wellbeing of children, and many anti-ICWA proponents are also perceived as gunning for access to natural resources, mineral rights and more.

(Continue Reading)

#politics #the left #in these times #native american rights #indigenous rights #supreme court #racial justice #discrimination #history

[lgbtawarenessproject]

Tiktok by oodhamboiii(they/he)

Video ID:

A masculine person wearing a teal shirt with pictures on the front sits in a tan room with a picture behind him and a door to his right. He is Native-American with long brown un-braided hair. His hair is split evenly and sits on his chest. He has a mustache and a short beard.

Their facial expression is upset, and they sit close to the camera. Above them are the following words:

"In 4 days, the United States Gov't will end protections against Indigenous youth."

And then, "The Indian Child Welfare Act(ICWA) prevents Native children from being stolen & forced into residential schools."

Followed by, "Opposition deems Native Americans growing up with their culture, "racist & unconstitutional."

Lastly, "Enacted for only 45 years, it has only taken 1 generation for it to be repealed."

The video ends after this statement is shown.

The video has Little Dark Age by MGMT playing. Lyrics heard in the video are "I know that if you hide, it doesn't go away/If you get out of bed and find me standing all alone/Open-eyed, burn the page, my little dark age"

:End ID

This video was posted 17 hours ago as of this reposting. That means that there is only 3 days. Support the indigenous community as they fight this.

#saveICWA

#indigenous rights #id #has ID #human rights #native discrimination #native american #native rights #native american rights #indigenous discrimination #save icwa #icwa #protect icwa

[oasis-of-colors]

The longer i live in the United States of America and hear of the political news the more I want to leave. I’d rather deal with moose in Canada than the bullshit that’s going down.

#mississippi #texas #florida #lgbtq #trans rights #bipoc #icwa #save icwa #native american rights #black lives matter #feminism

[fayegonnaslay]

Jane Fonda protesting on behalf of Native Americans in Denver, Colorado, 1970.

#jane fonda #political activist #activit #1970s #anti war movement #native american rights #activism #actress #denver #colorado #protest

[reggie-gayflx]

#women's rights #trans rights #gay rights #black lives matter #native american rights #latino rights #asian rights

[flintoaster]

PROTECT ICWA! IF YOU ARE AT ALL AN ALLY PLEASE GET #SAVEICWA TRENDING ON ALL PLATFORMS!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vxIAELce-Q5A07ZxkitJZa7sKiTTa54Tl8iBHp-Dem4/edit?usp=drivesdk

https://discord.gg/7zM2vRuXBD

#saveicwa #save icwa #indiginous lives #indiginous #native american rights #native americans #human rights #america #usa #united states of america #destiel #the super mario bros movie

[native-american-culture-is]

About This Blog

This blog is a place for Native Americans to share bits of ourselves, our struggles, culture, etc.

ALL Native Americans are welcome, regardless of tribe, connection or disconnection from your culture, “how Native” you are, etc.

More specifics than just general Native American culture is absolutely allowed (ex: -insert tribe- culture is, disabled Native American culture is, Native American womens culture is, etc.)

In the name of being open to as many Natives as possible, there is no DNI on this blog. As long as you aren’t an asshole or actively hurting people/ promoting something that hurts people or anything like that you’re free to stay. I do also ask for the same reason that discourse is not brought here. This is a safe place for Natives, not a place to argue.

About the blogger:

I’m a mixed north Native American, as I have Native heritage from both sides of my family (+ German heritage but that isn't relevant to this blog). Part of that heritage is Cherokee, but I don't know what tribe I descend from on the other side of my family.. I’m 17 and use any pronouns but they/them. I’m okay with any gendered terms and am panagender (mix between pangender and agender). If you want to refer to me by name the names Nyx, Pandora, and Eris work. I am open to questions about me as well. I’m both physically and mentally disabled, as well as an OSDD-1 system host. I’m not going to outright list out my disorders but if asked I am open to sharing. 

Additional disclaimer, the header and pfp have nothing to do with the blog, I just really like foxes.

Tagging system:

#nativeculture - for culture submissions/posts

#signalboost - for reblogs boosting others posts

#aboutme - for anything about me such as answering questions about me

Trigger warning tags I have: #tw racism. #tw colonization

That’s all for now I hope everyone has a wonderful day <3

#indigenous #native american #indigenous people #native american rights #native american culture #indigenous culture

[thepeopleinpower]

(source) (link)

Well…it’s a step in the right direction.

#repatriation #cultural anthropology #indigenous #indigenous culture #indigenous peoples #indigenous art #indigenous representation #indigenous communities #indigenous history #indigenous heritage #indigenous issues #indigenous knowledge #indigenous lives matter #indigenous liberation #indigenous rights #indigenous voices #native american representation #native american rights #native american #native american art #native lives matter #give the land back