Life Returned

Earlier today my friend Dawn (Lakota) and I (Nakoda) decided to address the infatuation of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation, why so many people go there to live out their Indian fantasies, and why so many white people believe that they are our savior. We brought up Aaron Huey’s Honor The Treaties project as a perfect example. She told me that people were especially upset with him because he had taken and published photos of ceremony. I didn’t know this, and was absolutely mortified. As two people who are from the Great Plains, practice our traditions, speak our languages, dance at powwows, etc, Dawn and I felt extremely violated by the publishing of our sacred moments.

This conversation happened to take place on Twitter. We didn’t “@ mention” Aaron or even say things that were attacking him personally (please feel free to check both of our timelines to confirm this). The next thing we know, Aaron himself is full on at us and decided to completely bulldoze our feelings. After feeling that his tweets weren’t enough, he sent me an email (you know, to take me into private, and put me in my place) to tell me how he has every right to publish these photos and how dare I say otherwise on Twitter (and how dare I engage someone else in my public discourse of him). And this guy Rick he is referring to is a Lakota spiritual leader (as if Dawn and I are not familiar with him). He said Rick gave him permission to publish the photos so everything is basically totally A-OK, and so we should chill out. Whether that is true or not (it isn’t) that is not the point.

He has since deleted his tweets, but I decided to save them and share them with the world. White male saviorism doesn’t just happen in Dances With Wolves or Avatar, it’s alive and well in our current society. In fact, it may have been amplified since now you’re awarded, given National Geographic spreads, and Tedx Talks as your platform to spread your exploitative message.

This past year we were part of a lot of community awareness and organizing for some widespread causes and now we want to bring this back to a local level. So help us help you. Who is doing something amazing in your community? Who needs help promoting their projects? Who needs help fundraising? Know of some fierce women? Tell us who they are! Let’s keep all of our VAWA victory energy flowing and going!

After yesterday’s final Senate vote, Indian Country is fired up and our Native men are rising! Renowned musician/singer Jeff Pehrson is making his voice heard in our fight for the Violence Against Women Act S.47. Jeff is a member of the band Furthur, and has his own two music projects The Fall Risk and Box Set.

“Dear Congress, pass the VAWA with all tribal provisions. Untie our hands and help stop the violence. Save Wįyąbi Project”

Senate takes a final vote today to reauthorize the Violence Against Women. We encourage you to contact your Senators, Representatives, and tribal leaders and tell them no amendments, no Issa/Cole, and no conceding to GOP demands. Native American women deserve S.47 and nothing less.

Save Wįyąbi Project has also created a guide to help you better understand the “Inherent vs. Delegated Authority” argument: https://www.facebook.com/notes/save-w%C4%AFy%C4%85bi-project/s47-tribal-provisions-a-breakdown/444881022247527

Every year V-Day has a “Global Spotlight” to highlight a specific population of women in the world. This year One Billion Rising Canada is continuing the tradition by directing their “National Spotlight” to Indigenous women! [Photo of: Ashley Callingbull]

For more information about V-day and One Billion Rising Events in Indian Country, check out All Nations Rising in Indian Country!

On February 14, 2013, Indian Country will be part of the “One Billion Rising.” To connect with us, look for our sister page All Nations Rising in Indian Country to communicate with others about starting your own event, or finding ones already planned. This is our time.