Support Native Americans, part 7
[credit Simon Moya-Smith, Vice magazine]
61. Look for and hang out at your local Indian center. There’s one in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York City, Minneapolis...this list goes on! You may learn a thing or two. When you show up, be humble, learn, and just listen. An elder once told me: The Creator gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. [note: I don’t know of “a center” in Portland; please comment on any and I will update this point. But there are lots of events where the public is very much invited to attend and learn, such as the Indigenous Peoples Days event in October replacing Columbus Day. Also, go to Powwows!]
62. Please do not claim to be Native just to get a job or scholarship. That’s fucked up.
63. Don't say "Native American culture." There are hundreds of tribes, each with unique cultures, languages, foods, ceremonies, etc. Not all Native tribes and nations are the same.
64. Don't even think about calling anyone/anything your spirit animal.
65. Don’t tell me what I should be honored by. Let me tell you how to honor me.
66. Just because you lead your local Wiccan circle does not mean you understand 500 years of genocide. First, worshipping the gods and spirits of nature, which is a tenet of Wicca, is not directly comparable to Indigenous spiritualities, and second, please do not compare the Salem Witch Trials to the genocide of Native Americans. That’s not cool.
67. Don’t assume we go to college for free. A Native can’t simply walk into Harvard, say, “Hi! I’m a Native American,” and get a free ride. Just ask my credit report.
68. Before you make jokey comments about jock stereotypes, recognize that privileged prep-school, East Coast white boys did not invent lacrosse. The Iroquois did.
69. Hire. More. Natives!
70. Are you a student? A professor? When applicable, advocate for or add more Native content, voices, etc. to your syllabi.
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