Support Native Americans, part 9

[credit Simon Moya-Smith, Vice magazine]
81. Don’t ask me why I’m studying my Indigenous ancestral language instead of Spanish or Chinese or whatever. I study my peoples’ language because it was once outlawed, and yep, I have the right to study whatever I want.
82. Avoid big banks, like Wells Fargo and Chase, that bankroll environmentally destructive oil and gas developments and also violate Native treaty rights. Support your local public banking effort to prevent money going to these colossal institutions. Divest!
83. Not every smoking pipe is a peace pipe, so let’s take “peace pipe” out of your vocabulary.
84. Yes, we pay taxes. State and federal. Please don’t assume we live tax-free.
85. You’re not “part Indian.” You either are, or you are not.
86. Not all Natives practice their people’s spirituality. Some are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist. Some are agnostic, atheist. Please don’t assume all Natives are spiritual and believe in a deity or spirits.
87. Going camping with your pals whilst pounding booze in Patagonia jackets isn’t a “vision quest.” Please just go camping. No need to call it a “vision quest.”
88. There are Indigenous people in the U.S. There are Indigenous people in Mexico. There are Indigenous people in Canada. Natives did not approve of the white man’s borders creating the three countries that make up this continent. Remember that.
89. Heteronormativity [“non-gay”] and archetypal gender roles are post-colonial. Homosexuality is considered medicine in many Native communities. Look up “two-spirit.” [note: two-spirit are usually valued as people who can so strongly embody both the warrior and caregiving spirits.]
90. I don’t want to hear about how you watched a PBS special, have you question me about it, and then pretend you know more than me. I am walking, breathing, and living this life. [note: although because I am on this journey of discover, I am interested in what PBS portrayed.]

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