Members of the VOLS team prepared the below resources, using the occasion of Columbus Day to reflect on the challenges that Black and Indigenous People of Color are facing today and to join the movement promoting the establishment of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
RESOURCES AND REFLECTIONS
October 12, 1492 represents the origin of the shared traumatic experience of colonialism. Columbus Day represents a romantic idea of European heritage associated with explorers and entrepreneurs which contributes to the myth of a white America that is different than the -other- Americas. But many cities and countries are pushing to use this date as an opportunity to critically reflect about the state of native and indigenous peoples today.
- Linked here is a petition written by Chenae Bullock, a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, requesting the local and state legislature to officially declare the second Monday of October to be Indigenous Peoples Day and to recognize and honor the contributions and forced sacrifices by native peoples.
Art:
- Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Street/Public Work America is Black
Here are some issues that Native people are facing:
- June 4th, 2020, The Native American Voting Rights Coalition published a report providing detailed evidence that Native people face obstacles at every turn in the electoral process: from registering to vote to casting votes, to having votes counted. Some were put in place specifically to suppress turnout.
- The National Women’s Law Center found that, “Native American women have to work 21 months to make as much as white, non-Hispanic men were paid in the previous calendar year alone.” This is exasperated when considering that 29 % of Native American women on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis are considered front lines workers.
These are just two examples in addition to the:
- Natural Resources Exploitation
- Impoverishment and Unemployment
- Poor Quality Housing
- Inadequate Health Care
- Violence against Women and Children
- Native Americans are Less Educated
- Native Language is Becoming Extinct
- Limited Financial Institutions in the Native Communities
Here are some organizations and causes that support Native people:
- American Indian College Fundprovides scholarships for Native American students.
- American Indian Policy Center provides government leaders and policy makers with accurate legal and historical information.
- American Indigenous Business Leaders supports education and development of indigenous-owned businesses.
- Association of American Indian Affairs provides aid in drafting integral legislation for indigenous people, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and the Tribal Governmental Tax Status Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act.
- First Nations Development Institute supports economic development and education for Native communities.
- Native American Heritage Association provides financial aid to those in need living on reservations in South Dakota.
- Native American Rights Fund fights to preserve Native American rights and tribal resources.
- National Indian Child Care Association provides tribal child care and early childhood programs.
- Partnership With Native Americans aids those living in poverty on reservations.
- Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations provides networking, professional and career opportunities for Native American women.
Thank you. Enjoy Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the rest of Hispanic Heritage month.