By Chelsey Luger — 2019
Many of us grew up facing racism and discrimination for practicing our culture and simply being Indigenous.
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CLEAR ALL
So many of the little rituals I have each day—like my makeup or skincare routine—do help soothe and/or rejuvenate me. For me, any type of solo practiced routine is good. But I’ve learned that self-care does not, and cannot, sustain me. And I believe that this may be the case for many of you.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Forty years ago, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act finally finally extended that right to the country’s Native citizens.
The BIPOC Project aims to build authentic and lasting solidarity among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), in order to undo Native invisibility, anti-Blackness, dismantle white supremacy and advance racial justice.
Our culture has taught us that we do not have the privilege of being vulnerable like other communities.
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“I still eat rice and beans. I just use brown rice now,” said Annya Santana of Menos Mas, a wellness company that speaks to African-American and Latinx communities.
Linda Poolaw loves telling stories. At 79, the Grand Chief of the Delaware Grand Council of North America has a few. Her stories often end in laughter. And regularly, they express pride about her work preserving culture and protecting Native Americans' health.
Many Native people have found innovative ways throughout the pandemic to continue sharing their culture despite physical distancing restrictions. Social media groups have provided some remedies, in ways that may continue after the pandemic wanes.
Interventions rooted in indigenous traditions are helping to prevent suicide and addiction in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
The Latinx community is just as vulnerable to mental illness as the general population, but faces disparities in treatment.
Eso es para locos. Esta generación... siempre inventando. These are the words I’d hear anytime I mentioned therapy or mental health growing up.