January 28, 2020
We are honored to welcome Earth-Feather Sovereign to present for our February Gathering on Sunday, February 16th from 2-5pm at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (2315 Division St NW, Olympia 98502).
Earth-Feather Sovereign is well known for her work around the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and is co-founder of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Washington (MMIWW). To learn more about her life and work, please click here to read article: Love is Work in Action: Earth-Feather Sovereign, Activator
We hope you will join us in learning more about this important topic, and how we can support and uplift the work that is being done by Indigenous women to address this issue. Help spread awareness of the MMIW crisis by reaching out to your friends, family and community to invite them to attend this presentation.
Click here to download flyer for event. Please post and distribute widely.
As usual, presentation will be followed by a potluck. Please bring a healthy dish to share, and $5-20 suggested donation.
Continue reading for related events and news:
An article in the New York Times looks at the challenges faced by families of Missing Native women when they are found. Click here to read: In Indian Country, a Crisis of Missing Women. And a New One When They're Found
CALL TO ACTION:
In response to a request from the Wet'suwet'en people, we have written a letter of solidarity, to show the Canadian government that the world is watching. Sign on to our letter of solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en Nation!
1. Click here to read letter
2. Click here to send email to Learning Right Relations, requesting your name be added to letter
Learn more about what is happening. Click here to visit the Unist'ot'en Camp website.
Recent actions across the globe have brought attention to the struggle of the Wet'suwet'en Nation. "Protesters blocking the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal 'by land and kayak' delayed some of BC Ferries' morning sailings in a show of solidarity, demanding 'respect for Wet'suwet'en sovereignty.'" Click here to read article: One-sailing wait from Swartz Bay ferry terminal after morning protest.
In another action, twelve protesters were arrested by members of the Victoria Police Department during a lengthy occupation of a provincial government building lobby in support of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Indigenous youth activists blocked the entrance to the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for about 18 hours. Click here to read article: 12 Wet'suwet'en supporters arrested by VicPD
Click here to view the Wet'suwet'en Supporter Toolkit 2020
Click here to sign petition: Canada should respect our Wetsuweten Hereditary system as THE ONLY governance
Missing and Murdered Indigneous Women Washington
Blanket Project
"Traditionally, Native Americans gift giving in a sacred manner has always been a part of our culture. Giving and receiving a blanket is one of the highest forms of respect in honoring someone. MMIWW would like to give away blankets with our logo on to survivors, families and community members.
"Helping to bless others by giving and honoring, will be a blessing for you, your families and your organizations."
-Earth-Feather Sovereign, Director/Founder, MMIWW
Click here to support MMIWW Blanket Project.
You can also support this project by spreading the word. Click here for a pdf of flyer. Please post and distribute in your neighborhoods and communities!
Netse Mot Day
March 23, 2020
North Steps of the State Capitol
Olympia, WA
Save the date! Join with Tribes, First Nations, faith organizations, non-profit groups, activists, elders, youth and concerned individuals gather to show that we are all Netse Mot, or "one heart and one mind," for Xw'ullemy (the Salish Sea). We will show our elected officials that we support Indigenous leadership, and request that Washington State adopt the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Click here to find out more: https://sacredsea.org/
RESOURCES:
The Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy Network has released an Indigenous Ally Toolkit. This toolkit is a great introduction to some vocabulary that can come up in the conversation around Indigenous solidarity, including "ally", "accomplice", "Two Spirit" and "settler". It also articulates some important concepts for non-Natives to address in the journey of "Learning Right Relations."
"Being an ally is about a way of being and doing. This means self-reflection, 'checking in' with one's motivations and debriefing with community members is a continual process; it is a way of life."
Click here to read the Indigenous Ally Toolkit.