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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
