Becoming an #MMIW ally

Understanding the movement.

What’s an ally?

Defined as an alliance to unite or form a connection or relation between. To ASSOCIATE with another as a helper : a person or group that provides assistance, support in an ongoing effort or struggle. [Online Webster]

What is MMIW?

Missing Murdered Indigenous Women. I’ve added links for you to dive deeper and learn more.

Native Hope, learn more here, a mural in Tacoma, Washington visit here, cities with the highest count view here and a Wiki version.

How to become an effective ally.

Empathy is a key factor in joining any movement or struggle. You have to literally feel the aches and pains or have personal experience. Once you understand the foundation and the WHY, you’ll be an effective ally.

“Here is the path, young and old, to the daughters of the four seasons find your place among the mountains.”

— Ho'omalamalama

Something to Share

I wanted to bring an awareness to my native students back in 2021 while inspiring them to be excellent. I didn’t want them to fell overwhelmed by what they couldn’t control.

Many of the families in my local Native community have experienced the loss of a loved one who's gone missing and I was aware of its effects on the children in our school.

• How do I educate without crossing traumatic experiences?

• How do I uplift and give hope to a difficult subject?

That’s when the word REVERENCE came to my mind. I needed to teach them the power of reverence and how it can compel us to move forward.

In a flow of conscious writing I penned a literary piece and entitled it, “In Reverence.” Then I brought it to the teaching staff in the Elementary and together we created a special event for the students.

The Mom’s from our FACE program sewed matching ribbon skirts. I designed two images to be placed on t-shirts and our principal made MMIW mask for all the adults.

During our morning Circle (gathering) all of the women gathered together and then faced the students as we red the poem. Next to me stood my Native Sister, Patricia Ortiz and the tears flowed. We wanted to reach out and let the students know that we can get through this together.

Later on in the day I was at Nisqually’s Longhouse during culture night and read the piece to them. Joyce McCloud, respected elder, gathered everyone to listen and in our circle we connected.

As an ally I am responsible to maintain the integrity of this movement and be a catalyst for positive change.

Looking back I’m grateful to have this shared experience with both Puyallup and Nisqually Tribes. Today I hope to continue educating the next generation and creating educational pieces to help them thrive.

As allies we allow our hearts to break, to feel the sorrow and then provide healing and resources.

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Something to Know

Our intention and the WHY behind everything we do matters. I wanted to point out some key factors to consider.

Movements such as MMIW have deep roots and aren’t merely for likes on social channels. Respect the WHY.

Often well-meaning individuals want to add their own spin to the movement in an attempt to be inclusive. Refer to #1

Some social accounts are built off of trending topics. Make sure to find the source or at best link it to a Native account.

The simple act of wearing RED will bring awareness to the movement. You can also support Native artist who create MMIW designs. Refer to #3

Teach your daughters and sons to be watchful. The idea behind MMIW wasn't to exclude other races or genders but as a place of reference.

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Something for MMIW

The first time I heard this song it was being sung at Chief LESCHI School then I listened to West Shore Canoe Family and couldn’t stop crying. Many songs, poems have been written and I am sharing one of many.

Westshore Canoe Family, Lummi WA. Song composed by Antone George. Video posted by YouTuber JTCLARK91 from Canada.

Our prayers go out to the missing & murdered indigenous women. We love and miss you. This video features the West Shore Canoe Family. Song composed by Antone George. Video produced by Children of the Setting Sun. Music arranged and recorded by Mark Nichols.

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Since 2020, pandemic, I’ve partnered with SPIPA of Squaxin Island to develop and create an online holistic-fitness program for women. It is important that we take care of our mind, body and soul.

Fall in LOVE with yourself.

We go through life waiting for someone to notice us, respect us, and maybe fall in love with us. Our hearts get crushed because our expectations aren’t met but it’s time we change our perspective. Shift our mind into loving ourselves.

I want to share with you the story of a beautiful soul and how she influenced me to become the woman I am today. My holistic lifestyle sounds fancy but I’m trying to relive her indigenous practices.

Josaphine Kauihailua (Manu) Lindsey is my great grandmother

DELIVERED: 6 Feb 1906 Hawaiian Kingdom

DEPARTED: 5 Aug 1996 (aged 90) Hawaii, USA

BURIED: National Memorial Cemetery of the PacificHonolulu, Hawaii, USA

Josephine K. Lindsey, 90, of Nanakuli, a supervisor for the University of Hawaii Extension-Hawaiian Language Club, died Monday in St. Francis Hospital. She is survived by sons Charles A. Manu, and David E. and Philip Kamai; daughters Josephine M. Kaawa and the Rev. Elizabeth K. Mahaulu; sister Victoria Clark; 15 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday at Oahu Cemetery Chapel, 2162 Nuuanu Ave. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.

Source; The Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Friday August 9, 1996

Her early days are a mystery to my ‘Ohana it was purposefully hidden because of an unknown reason. Nevertheless she nurtured my siblings and I in the old way. When we were born she was there by our mother’s side. After feedings she swaddled us and took care of us until our next feeding. She washed all our cloth diapers, hung them up to dry, sang us to sleep, and spoke to us in Hawaiian. For the first three+ months our mother didn’t have to lift a finger.

La’au Lapa’au

She knew the healing art of plants and the seasons to gather from the uplands. Foraging for food from the lush vegetation or harvesting from the sea. We’re not sure how she learned her skills and I hope to find out.

What we do know is that her past was too painful to speak of, as was the life of many indigenous women across the globe. Hidden away, raised by pseudo grandparents and then delivered into the hands of a heartless aunt.

She never experienced love and for a brief moment her first marriage had love, to only loose him and then outlive two other husbands.

Picture by Nalani Bernado (My Anake) of Hilo, Hawaii

Vivacious

Magnetic

Innovative

Believer

Creative

Faith-filled

Destined

“Many of our ancestors left clues for us to succeed. They planted the seeds of their truth in hopes that we would nourish it and reap its fruits.”

— Ho'omālamalama

Self Care

When I was in elementary and attending Nanakuli Elementary my Kupuna was in the ‘Ohana home. We had four generations living under one roof.

Every morning she would wake up and do her morning stretches. Slow and steady, each move was intentional. Sometimes I would stretch with her, I miss those days.

For a woman who never had a mother to raise and teach her she somehow developed a beautiful self care routine.

Comment Below: What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Self Worth

My Kupuna didn’t allow the opinions of others to define her. And as often as she was shamed, oppressed, and belittled you couldn’t see a trace of it on her face.

She was unwilling to compromise and held a promise in her heart. That promise was,

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. -Psalms 139:14

Her mindset was simple, I am valuable because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Self Awareness

When she entered a room she was very aware of her surroundings, an acute sense she developed. Loneliness is a strange teacher. Although we crave for interaction, isolation has a way of heightening our senses.

Over time my Kupuna taught herself to read and the pages of the Bible kept her company. The promise of salvation was the lullaby of a warm embrace, meanwhile the staunch examples trained her mind to be steadfast.

Her birth wasn't an accident, she had purpose.

Self Confidence

Being broken down through economic circumstances, educational limitations, raped by an uncle as a teen, birthing a son, loss of a husband, than two more, being a woman, being a single mother, being forced out of your home by your last husband’s child because you don’t want to cause any more friction, homeless and somehow having faith.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that accuses you in judgement you will condemn. -Isaiah 54:17

She was confident that her redeemer lives and revenge was not a part of her lifestyle. As she got older her faced beamed love. How remarkable.

Self Love

I’m not trying to sound religious because my Kupuna wasn’t. She didn’t believe in human nature or the promises of a man. A preacher is just a human reading the same Bible she had.

Throughout her time here on earth she clung to, “God is Love” and tried to live by it.

If God is love, I must also love. This love should continue to flow out of a body that is loved. Therefore I love myself. - Ho’omālamalama

Her struggles became my strengths and I live by her example. Essentially I hope they become your strengths too as you fall in love with yourself. Be kind, caring, and always forgiving to yourself.

Beautiful Mind Challenge Day 15

If you could

Sit down and have a deep conversation with someone who would it be?

Why did you choose this person?

Wisdom

Is an amazing presence and I adore hanging out with people who ooze wisdom unapologetically. Unfortunately some of my favorite conversationalist have passed but I have a process that might help you, as it did me.

My Mama taught me that Wisdom is ageless and unlimited. If I asked the right questions the answer would eventually find its way to me. Decades after her passing I’m still asking and hearing answers along the way.

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Create Your Own Magic

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Insta-Friends

Ready for more

Regardless of whatʻs happening in the world we still have dreams, desires and goals.

I bet youʻre ready for more and tired of how things have been going.

Sure youʻre making the most of life but by now Netflix has lost its charm and the kitchen isnʻt your idea of a date-night.

Iʻm referring to living the quarantine life.

So whatʻs a bright, vivacious and energetic woman suppose to do?

Iʻll tell you what she does… she dances HULA with other vivacious and energetic women.

It all started…

When I received a message, along with other co-workers, that all the schools in Washington state were closed until further notice. The uncertainty we felt that day didnʻt melt away, in fact itʻs still present months later. Our current situation poses some difficulties but thatʻs when we dig deep and create a solution. The bottom line, WE NEED A SOLID FOUNDATION, but how do we create one?

“Un-ease is the undercurrent that steals the sands of peace from the shores we stand upon. Awareness is key and it allows us to find a solid rock and take a stand.”

— Hoʻomalamalama

Hereʻs how…

My Kupuna, great-grandmother, modeled an important life lesson. When in doubt, unsure or stuck you should move. Lol, it was really that simple for her. From her wise perspective no good comes from worrying or wondering so get up and move.

This is a woman, who with her young children witnessed the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They were headed to church in Honolulu on a beautiful Sunday morning when the attacks happened. She scurried to gather her children and look for shelter. The following months were scary and full of fear yet she kept moving.

“We are like the Moana and a healthy ocean must keep moving.”

Following her lead…

My mind reconnected to her stories and I thought to myself, “We have to keep moving.” So I texted a few friends/co-workers and asked if they wanted to workout with me. You see I work at a school as a culture teacher and run my wellness business in the evenings and on the weekend. So I organized our sessions and we were off and sweating.

It started as something to do then became a way to hold sacred space for each women. Hula offered them a place to heal and feel supported. The connections theyʻve made helped them to break through barriers of isolations and sorrow. And when I took a survey I asked, “Do you want to continue?” They all said, “More Hula Please!!!”

Now comes the biggest question of all, How do I support this because that takes time from me and time is money. In all honesty I donʻt have the answer but for now itʻs helping my fellow human being. Teachers are finding their fit-life and joy, mothers are working out and scheduling more “ME TIME” which is important. Theyʻre all finding a flow with holistic lifestyle but not alone, weʻre doing it together.

Do you want more?

Start with movement. Take a random stroll and listen to the birds.

We can not change the world but we can improve what happens within and that’s a good place to start. So why not take it to the NEXT LEVEL and help just one person. Think of someone who could use a community like this where holistic lifestyle and Hula go hand in hand. Who would that be?

Sometimes as women we’re just waiting for an invitation. Who can you invite? Whose life can you help improve through this connection? Send them this blog.

The cadence of your Intuition [4/5]

CADENCE: a rhythmic sequence.

The best advice I ever received was, “Listen to your na’au.” In Hawaiian the word na’au has several meanings but in my situation it meant to, “listen to your intuition/gut.”

Your na’au isn’t swayed by marketing tactics or pressured by sales men over the phone. It’s connected to something deeper, your soul.

The trick is to tune out all the distractions and learn to trust what your gut/intuition is telling you. I’m sure you’ve experienced that feeling before.

I started a five part series called, “Create your own magic.” And the premise behind the post was to encourage us all to wake-up, get motivated and stop waiting for others to inspire us. We become our own cheerleader!

It’s interesting that the inspiration came just before the global pandemic which oddly enough is hitting some areas harder than others. The crazy part is that I live in one of the hardest hit states and life will never be the same. People are more suspicious and assume the worst through social distancing. It’s almost as if mistrust has permission and accepted as the norm. In fact I've read that there’s a “snitches app” where you can anonymously report someone you believe to be sick, even if they’re coughing because of an allergy.

Fear has gripped our communities and although I believe in preventive health measures I have witnessed a few extremes. Don’t get me wrong I totally understand the need for social distancing but I would rather more focus and dollars to be spent on unraveling the source. Why Wuhan?

Meanwhile we are left to find the pieces of a puzzle that has been tossed off the table. The puzzle is called stability. Hopefully you’ve been following the podcast as I address strategies to make your own magic and therefore creating stability because YOU are the defining variable. Below are the past three titles.

Intuition

It’s not easy to listen to your own intuition because there are many distractions but here’s a clever way to clear the mental clutter by asking the following clarifying questions.

1. What is my initial feeling about that situation or person? (Gut feeling)

2. Why do I feel uncomfortable?

3. What is the short term benefits?

4. What are the long term benefits?

5. Does this align with my goals?

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Find the Cadence

Everything that endures follows a cadence, even Mother Nature follows a cadence. There’s a rhythm to life that finds harmony in the ebb and flow of life. The secret is understanding the current of your frequency then trusting that wave or intuition.

I don’t know my future but I understand the music of my soul. I know what resonates with me and stay away from the things that do not. Once you begin to trust your intuition you will connect to the music of your soul. In fact the reason you’re currently reading this is because your intuition has guided you here and I’m so happy you’re here.

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When stuck [2/5]

In the series

CREATE YOUR OWN MAGIC, I wanted to sow seeds of inspiration and the best metaphor is a butterfly. [Previous]

This was my topic during this months mastermind. Think about it…

- Why give up your freedom to be confined to a small space?

- What guarantees dos a caterpillar have that it’ll emerge?

- What does it really take to grow wings?

I would imagine that a caterpillar understands the purpose of its lifecycle. Most of all it models FAITH. When stuck in one place the only option is to have FAITH in the process.

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Podcast

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FAITH

To use two words like FAITH and MAGIC in the same conversation might sound heretical since one is associated with religion and the other is outside of that realm. However if everything is energy then what we name it isn’t as important as what we intend with it. [My thoughts.]

In order to create your own magic you have to have FAITH and believe in your potential, regardless of circumstances or upbringing. Magic must first happen within.

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Listen

The world is full of untethered opinions. What I mean is that people aren’t connected to the outcome of your circumstance. Yet they’re quick to offer facts and web links that will back up their view. The funniest conversations to me are when a sick person tries to tell another sick person how to get well, I hear this type of conversation all the time.

In order for you to create magic you have to stop listening to people who operate in mediocrity. Learn to LISTEN to your Na’au, Hawaiian for that gut-feeling. LISTEN to how you react to things and trust your intuition.

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RELEASE

The things that weigh you down and stop valuing the garbage of unmet expectations. The details of you past failures weren’t meant to stop you, it was suppose to show you another possibility.

It’s a good thing that caterpillars don’t have mirrors, or else they would never come out of that hot mess called a chrysalis. Isn’t it amazing that their previous body didn’t hold them back from obtaining their wings. When you RELEASE it allows you to take flight.

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EMBRACE

What you’ve accomplished in spite of the naysayers. You create magic because you are magical. No one has to understand your purpose, they don’t have to know why you do what you do. The important part is do you understand your purpose?

When you spread your wings and feel freedom lifting you EMBRACE it. You paid your price, did the work and followed through with your dream.

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Guard

Also known as protect your ability to create magic. Once you manifest FAITH, LISTEN to your Na’au, RELEASE the things that don’t serve you and EMBRACE your awesomeness all that’s left is to duplicate it. Make more magic and change more lives for the better.

Never forget how you had to crawl so that you’ll never go back to it. GUARD your ideas because that’s where the magic starts.

PS: This is why masterminds are so important and effective.

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Create Your Own Magic [1/5]

Firstly,

I would like to dedicate the coming five post to my Grandpa Tandal. As an immigrant with a hint of education he didn’t wait for handouts, figured things out and made mistakes along the way.

As a youth he got real sick and they pronounced him dead. He woke up in a mortuary and lived to tell the tale. In fact he was declaired “deceased” more than once.

He married one woman and even when she fell out of love wit him he refused to divorce her. Because he made a covenant before God.

“The day you choose to LIVE, is the day you truly understand the MAGIC of intention.”

— Ho'omalamalama

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Start at the bottom.

I have no clue why people are afraid of going back to basics or starting from ground level. Not just when you’re a spiffy teen getting your first job but when you’re 40’ 50’ or 60’ and redefining yourself. Starting back at square one doesn’t mean you failed. Instead it’s a chance to recreate your dreams from scratch.

We weren’t meant to live linear lives such as…

• Go to school.

• Get a job.

• Create Debt. (ex. house, car, student loans)

What happened to your dreams of owning an island, traveling the world or swimming with the dolphins? Each dream is doable but why aren’t you doing them?

I would like to share with you five observations that I learned from my grandpa and I hope they will serve you. Also join me as I continue the conversation on Instagram.

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SELF RELIANCE

He didn’t have rich relatives or a benevolent government. Just his two hands and an unbelievable imagination. He built a business, bought homes in Hawaii and added his last name to seven children. Things were difficult and he made it through a war, prejudices and language barrier. And all he had was his two hands and an unbelievable imagination.

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REFLECTION

It’s your turn.

1. What do you have in your possession right now that can’t be taken away, stolen or sold?

2. Do you believe that challenges and crisis were meant to fuel your creativity?

3. What are you good at that no one else can do?

4. What would it look like if you took a chance on your gifts, talents or abilities?

5. Who can you share this with?

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FOLLOW UP

Comment below who’s magic inspires you?

See you on the next post. PEACE Be The Journey

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I Started A Podcast

Walk Inn Beauty

Is officially a podcast since April 2, 2020.

I wanted to share the things I’ve learned and invite others to tell their story.

A place where Beauty is our muse.

I wanted women to view Beauty as a muse rather than a goal. It’s not something we wear but a guide. Showing us how to be the best versions of our selves and ultimately walk inn beauty.

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Episode 001

“How Struggles Become Strengths.”

I was able to share the candid tale of my name, its origin and my struggles growing up awkward. Hope you enjoy it and laugh along.

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Episode 002

“3 Hacks To Becoming Consistent Despite Distractions”

Crisis and chaos is the biggest distraction to success, especially when you have so much at stake. Which is why consistency can turn into profitability to those who master their daily schedule.