No Thanks, No Giving

No Thanks, No Giving

As many of us around the nation were gearing up for Thanksgiving this past week, the fight for clean water continued in North Dakota. On Sunday night, November 20th, a confrontation between protectors and police erupted when protectors tried to move debris that police used to keep them from entering certain areas of construction. North Dakota police and other militarized personnel decided to unleash water cannons on protectors of all ages in 26-degree weather. Concussion grenades, rubber bullets, and tear gas were all deployed and caused many injuries. 

In a more serious cause, a woman from New York who was helping with the protest suffered from a concussion grenade exploding directly on her arm. She was flown out to a near by hospital and then had to have numerous expensive surgeries. She is said to have had her arm amputated. As infuriating and devastating as that news was, Morton County Sheriff’s office released documentation that the women suffered her injuries from an explosion at one of the camps from protestor’s “making home-made bombs.” They also denied using water cannons that led to hypothermia by the dozens and using other less-lethal force. However, drones caught video and protestors have evidence that states otherwise.

This all within the month that was declared Native American Heritage month and the irony of the holiday we give thanks, and one with a dark side of history. As a Diné (Navajo), and like most tribes, the last harvest is celebrated before winter arrives. Food is made and a feast occurs despite the massacre that also began with the Pequot tribe. It was very hard being my chipper self on Thanksgiving with the injustices occurring up North. We united in a long prayer for our ancestors (near and far) as well as our brothers and sisters currently in North Dakota. Many blessings to those fighting the good fight.

I will post a list of how to help the Standing Rock Tribe and #NoDAPL soon. 

Native American Heritage Month

November 11, 2016

Native American Heritage Month

With the end of Halloween and cultural appropriation issues, the election, and the current protest in North Dakota, it has been a rough couple of months. It’s enough that I have come to dislike Halloween because people can be so immature about cultural appropriation but the election and the protest combined have brought out so much more foul attitudes.
After a hectic weekend, I stopped for dinner on my way home outside of Flagstaff. There's this little Subway off the freeway on the way home and although it is not a truck stop, many truckers stop here. Tired, I entered Subway minding my own business and I noticed a couple of truckers just finishing up. I had just got off the phone with my dad and I could feel someone looking at me. As I turned I heard one of the men scoff, “damn prairie n*****” as he stood up and looked me up and down. Instead of feeling belittled or angered, I felt this strong sense of calmness. I turned back to the nice sandwich artist and began ordering. I took the high road and refused to give this individual my attention and he was surprised. The kind man behind the counter called me strong and admired my will for not showing the same type of attitude towards the gentleman. 

This incident occurred at the beginning of my week and with the upcoming week of classes and the election I emailed my professors immediately and asked if they could allow me to speak to the class about Native American Heritage month. November is Native American month and it is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and history of indigenous people. I spoke to my classes and brought up old slides that I used to use in presentations about fighting stereotypes through interaction and education. I invited my fellow peers to events on campus as well recommendations for American Indian Studies classes that didn’t require a prerequisite. But I also shared with them the stories of the racism I encounter as a Native American woman often reinforced with Hollywood stereotypes. Throughout the week I wore my moccasins and tsiyeel (Navajo hair bun) to show individuals my pride in my culture. What seemed to start off as a bad week, turned into the best as I spoke and engaged with peers that I never spoke to in class. After speaking people embraced me with hugs and now we have become more than just that kid sitting in front or behind me in class. 

I openly encourage others to be open-minded and rid themselves of any ethnocentric feelings or viewpoints. Take a class in Latin studies, Asian, Native American, African studies and all the other diverse communities around the world. Be respectful. Ask questions. There’s a lot of uncertainty with the election of our new President but he didn’t create this divide. It’s been there and in order to heal it, we have to engage with others not like ourselves. That’s one of our biggest challenges as a nation moving forward.

Attached is a schedule on events happening on campus (NAU) as well as a flier I used when encouraging others to take more culturally diverse classes:

I should note that my sister will also be a contestant in the Miss Indian NAU pageant on November 18^th, 2016. Come join us as five young women share their culture for the title of 2017 Miss Indian NAU. This is a great night for people of all ages as this event brings many tribes together. My sister’s platform is self-identity and youth empowerment.

All MONEY, NO morals

All MONEY, NO morals

When we talk about the common good of something we usually consult all parties involved for the greater common good of everyone. But not everyone follows these rules when it comes to putting more money in their own pockets. I guess being worth 4 billion dollars isn’t enough for some people (owner of the company behind the pipeline).  

This week has been any emotional roller coaster as I continuously see people posting videos from the frontlines. When you hear that word doesn’t it usually resonate with a war in a foreign country? Yet, we are talking about the Americas. The home of the f***** free and brave. Or so we thought! Unless you’re some big shot worth billions, paid police personnel, or paid elected officials by the billionaire, the law does not apply. Or at least that’s the message North Dakota is sending. I’ve seen people being shot with rubber bullets. A news interviewer shot w a rubber bullet in the chest across river! People pushed into the freezing waters. People being beaten with batons. Corporate greed at its finest, folks.

We talk so much about police brutality but I guess the abuse of using "less-lethal" force on unarmed individuals is not news worthy. As an individual going into the Criminal Justice system and plan on working towards grad school in Criminology or law school, I would not be able to work with the unpleasant people in North Dakota who swore to protect. Now I am not saying all of them are bad, because my friends have posted vids on a female officer break down in the midst of her fellow officers beating on individuals, but how can you even sleep at night knowing you shot and mace unarmed people!? This is why it should be a requirement for police officers to have a college degree. To have that cultural understanding and knowledge behind past procedures and police styles. To understand why some barriers, remain and why people of color do not trust government officials. Wake up, America and get a grip North Dakota.