Winter Storytelling: Our Indigenous Past, Present, and Future of Advocacy February 25, 2020 Presenter: Rebecca Balog Welcome, Wellness, and Introduction Rebecca Balog, presenter of this webinar Rebecca Balog Goals for Today Native American woman with a blanket around her shoulders, making eye contact with us. A message reads: "A Nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. There it is done, no matter how brave its warriors nor how strong their weapons." Ą Similarities Ą Differences Ą Common Purposes Ą Bridges Ą Collaboration Guiding Principles Ą Connections across generations come from storytelling. Connections across cultures can also come from storytelling. Ą Survivor stories have offered incredible contributions impacting the work to end domestic and sexual violence (education, intervention, prevention, policy, and program/services). Ą Collaboration between underserved victims and survivors of crime can broaden and deepen our ability to work to end violence across our communities. Ą Space for respectful understanding (each individual story is as unique as a human fingerprint). Storytelling Intergenerational Advocacy and Activism: Past, Present and Future 4 maps of USA over history. Black shows land owned by Indians or returned to by Indians, white shows lands transferred from Indians to Whites. 4 Maps represent a massive decrease in lands for Native Americans Black shows land owned by Indians or returned to by Indians, white shows lands transferred from Indians to Whites Sovereignty, Advocacy, and Activism Sovereignty is a government-to-government relationship committed to tribal self-determinations, tribal autonomy, nation- building, and long-term goal of maximizing local tribal control, informed by tribal customs and traditions. ŇIndian Nations had always been considered as distinct, independent political communities, retaining their original natural rights, as the undisputed possessors of the soilÉ The very term ŇnationÓ so generally applied to them means Ôa people distinct from others.ŐÓ -Chief Justice Marshall, United States Supreme Court (Source: National Congress of American Indians) Sovereignty, Advocacy, and Activism (2) Self-government is essential if tribal communities are to continue to protect their unique cultures and identities. However, there are several obstacles to tribal self-governance based on three thematic areas that have been identified in recent years: (1) outmoded bureaucratic processes; (2) lack of federal agency coordination; and, (3) regulations and laws that prevent tribal governments from equitable access to federal programs on par with state and local governments. (Source: National Congress of American Indians) Storytelling: Boarding School Survival three Native American boys starting at new school in traditional Native clothing. Then, same three Native American boys in American clothing, after being Americanized by the school. 8 Carlisle Indian Industrial School Historical marker outside a cemetery of Native American children at the location of the Indian boarding school. Hundreds of Native American children in American clothing, after being Americanized by the boarding school. Storytelling: Intergenerational Boarding School Survival and Roots A forest of trees over layers of earth and the trees roots. Each tree represents a traumatic experience. Each Root is connected to layers of earth below the tree: Anger, Guilt, Shame felt by Native American boarding school survivors and descendants. Source: White Bison, Wellbriety Training at Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Indigenous Generations and Change A flowchart of the cycle of life in human silhouettes; starting with baby, toddler, youth, high school, adult, parent, older adult, and elderly people The Grandmother Elderly Native American woman in traditional Southwestern clothing, standing thoughtfully and humbly. The Mother A Native American woman in modern denim clothing, looking pleasantly at us. The Auntie A Native American woman looking into the distance The Niece Young Native American woman smiling while wearing the American flag around her shoulders. Wellness Moment & Check-in The Cousin Young Native American male teenager smiling at the camera while seating in his wheelchair. The Daughter Young Native American teenager smiling while the sun shines over her face. The Friend Elderly Native American woman in traditional Southwestern clothing, standing thoughtfully and humbly. Identities, Emerging Issues, and Stereotypes This woman is the daughter of a Native American Indian Chief. Being blonde haired and having light eyes was a challenge for her. Even her Native American friends felt uncomfortable around her. She looked differently from them. She felt she did not fit into any group because racial discrimination was prevalent in society at the time. Her mother is 100% white and her father is 100% Indian. This man is the grandson of four enrolled members from four different tribes. All of his 8 grandparents are from 8 total tribes. This means his blood quantum is not the required 25% of ONE tribe for enrollment that adheres to the bylaws of enrollment to which he was born and lives. As a political identity- this man is not a Native American. Although, he is 100% Native American in race, culture, society and faith. Everyday Modern Intersections Native American man defiantly faces a Non-Native American man who is wearing fake native headdress and face paint at a sports game. The team has a Native American cartoon mascot. Non-Native American famous singer Gwen Stefani wearing fake native headdress in a field with a pony for a music video Non-Native American man wearing fashion T shirt that says Manifest Destiny (the term used for colonizing Native Land as an American Right). The Next Generation Two young Native boys dancing in colorful regalia, surrounded by an active group of Native dancers celebrating their Native culture and traditional dance. How To Use These Guiding Principles Ą Connections across generations come from storytelling. Connections across cultures can also come from storytelling. Ą Survivor stories have offered incredible contributions impacting the work to end domestic and sexual violence (education, intervention, prevention, policy, and program/services). Ą Collaboration between underserved victims and survivors of crime can broaden and deepen our ability to work to end violence across our communities. Ą Space for respectful understanding (each individual story is as unique as a human fingerprint). What does this all mean to our work? What can Native, non-Native, and Mixed Natives do to weave a stronger movement for underserved victims/survivors? And as always, how do we practice healthy allyship and wellness in work that is very difficult and often painful? Closing Remarks Thank you for sharing your time with me. Rebecca Balog: HybridLoveStories@gmail.com