Category: Uncategorized
Native Action Network 2013
| April 22, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
A forerunner in attending the Native Action Network, this article in Indian Country Online is a great source of summary of what Native Action Network for 2013.
I had a great opportunity to attend the 9th Annual Native Action Network in Swinomish Lodge, Anacortes, Washington. The Native Action Network is designed to give young Native Women, between high school and 4th year of college to come together and join forces for encouragement, confidence building workshops. We could find common ground to work together for the greater good of issues concerning Native American and all Indigenous communities. Here is a link to the Facebook page.
The theme to this year’s Native Action Network was “The Power of Indigenous Women – Linking Hands Cross Borders.” This conference was powerful in spirit and presence of embracing change and unity! I found myself filled with pride and strength to know that my interests lie with improving the lives of Native Communities around the world, is not just a passion of mine, but others too! The speakers and panels at this conference brought us laughter and joy, as well as tears, and bringing the realistic issues conflicting Natives today!
This was not just a conference of networking, but also honoring of Individual women who embody the “Enduring Spirit” award. There have been about 42 honorees since the very first Native Action Network event in 2001. This years honorees were: Virginia Bill from Upper Skagit, Beverly Peters from Swinomish, Teri Gobin from Tulalip, and Patsy Whitefoot from Yakima. If you would like to read more about what there remarkable women have done please visit the Enduring Spirit website.
One of this year’s featured speakers was Michele Audette from Canada. She is a remarkable women for her work and dedication to shedding light onto many issues concerning Indigenous women of Canada. She is the President of NWAC, standing for Native Women’s Assocation of Canada. Here is a little write up about Michele and her works from The Canadian Journalism Foundation. I got a chance to speak to Michele and was “star-struck.” She was a remarkable women and took time to take a picture with me, but then in turn asked me to take a photo with her on her iphone! I was surprised and honored in that moment! Here is an image of all the speaks in attendance to the event for 2013, every single speaker had something to contribute and inspire us all with:
I came away from this weekend conference with more than just hearing stories of others’ leadership, but rather an empowerment to keep doing what I am doing, because I know there are others out there that do care! I want to be a voice for those who cannot speak, I want to stand for those who cannot stand, and I want to encourage other Native youth to enrich their futures by participating in opportunities like this! There were numerous moments that were breathtaking and so empowering throughout the weekend! I remember one moment when an elder woman was giving thanks for the weekend and at the end of her talk she began singing. Then the after a few verses of singing, the whole room erupted and followed her in song, singing along! We all did not know the words, nor were we all singers, but everyone was supportive in the efforts of others! It was a blessed moment to be apart of!
I encourage all young women between their senior year in high school and their senior year in college, they should apply for this great opportunity any given year! Please contact Enduring Spirit. In addition any emails can be sent too: info@enduringspirit.rg
A special thanks to the Co Founders of Native Action Network: Iris Friday and Claudia Kauffman. These women not only encourage others to be leaders, but they too embody what it means in “Declaring out Power and Defining our Future,” this year, 2013′s theme for young women! In addition a huge thank you to all the women volunteers that help with the background work to make this event happen annually! They are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet! Take charge and get involved!
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Bullet Proof
| March 21, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
Great montage of Native American histories that has brought us to present day Idle No More!! We are “bullet proof.”
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Flashmob at UW: Idle No More
| March 18, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
The First Nations group at the University of Washington has demonstrated “solidarity” in support for the First Nations people of Canada. The Idle No More campaign is in protest of Bill C-45, a law which would effectively terminate Indigenous peoples’ rights in Canada. There is growing support from Native Americans in the United States and even international support around the world for the rights of Indigenous rights.
In the following Youtube link, you will find a link to the “flashmob” or Round dance on the campus of UW, taking place in Red Square in January of 2013.
A special thanks to: Shanoa Pinkham, First Nations @ UW, and all who participated!
For More information about Idle No More please visit:
2. Idle No More Facebook Community
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Inspirational Videos: Idle No More
| March 14, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
Idle No More is worldwide! This is a grassroots movement that is taking on many forms, and staying relevant through social media. Please check out the facebook page search: ”Idle No More” for more events, happenings, and news information!
Check out this video:
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Beauty In & On Earth
| March 10, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
We all have a reciprocal relationship with Mother Earth, for we care for her and in turn she cares for us! There is a need, more than ever to respect the resources of Earth. We shall not exploit the precious elements of Earth, no longer for they may run short in returning to us. I feel that this following image was too good not to share! Please join in the support for Idle No More!
For more information please visit facebook.
Twitter: #IdleNoMore
Photo: http://www.ya-native.com/
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Idle No More Voices
| March 4, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
This is such an empowering and stong young lady, Zondra “Zoey” Roy, with kind words for the future. She has experienced and participated in many “Idle No More” matters; some including visiting chemical-contamination sites on the Canadian Reserve, Blockades, and joining in song with a hand drum. Zoey is an enthisiest for the rights of Indigenous peoples and challenges us all to “wake up” and recognize the future happenings.
Idle No More is a grassroots movement that cannot go ignored.
First Nations people cannot be ignored.
Our Mother Earth cannot be ignored.
… Bill C-45 cannot be ignored.
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Idle No More & Indigenous Nationhood
| February 27, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
Please visit this site to read the entire piece title- Idle No More & Indigenous Nationhood.
I found this writing to be so enlightening! Taiaiake Alfred is a phenomenal Mohawk author whose expertise in Native American studies is very relevant to histories of all Indigenous peoples. I feel that his writing here is relatable to the Idle No More movement because of his experiences and activism and research with First Nations people.
In expressing the importance of Idle No More, here is an excerpt from the link written by Taiaiake:
“But it is clear too that the movement has plateaued. Much of the passion, urgency and attention Idle No More generated is dissipating in the wake of Chief Theresa Spence’s fast and the “13 Point Declaration” supported by Chief Spence, the Assembly of First Nations and the two Canadian opposition parties – which to many people in the movement represents a cooptation of the movement’s demands by the chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations in support of their ongoing negotiations and long-running bureaucratic processes.
The question in the minds of many people in the movement who are committed to more serious and transformational goals is how do we revive the momentum driving us towards fundamental change that we had at the start of the movement? I think that the only way to keep this movement going is for us to see our actions in Idle No More as part of a larger and long-standing commitment to the restoration of Indigenous nationhood.”
Taiaiake goes on to question the relevance of Idle No More and what it has accomplished. He challenges to achieve change for Natives, using social media to be more than just another “rant,” and the effectiveness of this movement. Natives need to use this movement to gain mobilization of people “on the basis of Indigenous Nationhood.”
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
Short Documentary about Idle No More
| February 21, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
This is the time for Unity! The following video has a couple of different features of what Idle No More is to people today. Idle No More is more than just the young rising up, but rather a recognition of the ancestors and the spiritual connections we Indigenous peoples have with Mother Earth. We are the ones to speak for the trees, for the waters, for all the living spirits here on Earth. We can overcome internalized oppression. We are not invisible anymore! All political beliefs are set aside.
“Indigenous people are standing together and coming together as all human beings.”
- Karina, from the following film.
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
“Warrior Women” by Jen Ten Bears
| February 15, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
Image: thestar.com
In writting about Idle No More movement I found this poem to be fitting. Chief Teresa did a hunger-strike in protest to the new legistlation that passed in Canada concerning the First Nations people. Her hunger-strike lasted 6 weeks and came to an end with the meeting of Canada’s prime minister to discuss the honoring of ancient treaty rights. This beautifully written poem is in dedication of Chief Teresa Spence. This poem is co-titled: In Her Honor: Chief Teresa Spence. I was given permission from Jen Ten Bears to publish her work here. For more information about Chief Teresa try visitng:
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/01/23/chief-theresa-spence-announces-end-fast-147192
http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/01/first_nation_chief_theresa_spence_hospitalized_ends_fast.html
WarriorWomen
Who will take a stand and walk with me?
Who will know this meaning of true sacrifice for that which we love?
What discipline shall I leave for my grandchildren and their grandchildren?
How will I be remember when I walk into the sunset?
I shall walk with my head held high.
I am a daughter of the earth mother and a voice for my people.
I will walk my walk with dignity and truth that lives deep within me.
I will not be intimidated by guns, tanks, and harsh words.
I shall stand like the elders at the timber roadblock.
They knew the danger thay were in by sitting there protecting the forest.
And the elder women said we have a plan…
We will go first and then, you will folow our lead.
Can I offer you a cigarette? A blanket? A meal? A shoulder to lean on?
I will come find you where you are in the city streets.
I am a sister that loves you and is looking out for you.
I will offer you a cup of coffee, a meal, or words of comfort.
You didn’t get here by yourself, all the trauma and dysfunction.
This took years and years of oppression and abuse.
No shame dear sister for being where you are right now.
All this can change, we just need to work on ourselves.
There is a memory that lives deep in your blood.
We need to remember where we came from and where we are going.
Can you hear the songs of old as we sit in silence?
The songs that tell us of our strength, our beauty, our courage and wisdom.
We have existed and have persevered through the wind and the rain.
This journey has been the longest walk through time and space.
And we have cried: We’re walking home. We’re walking home.
This is our land and the land of our ancestors.
We are the Warrior Women that walk in beauty and strength.
The Warrior Women of yesterday, today, and tomorrow…
We Are The Warrior Women.
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.
February 14th Idle No More
| February 14, 2013 | Posted by Misha under Uncategorized |
Just thought I would share this in relation to Idle No More campaign. There is a need to challenge the “silence” of all peoples for the preservation of our Mother Earth’s future and our own! Idle No More and Act! Participate with any of the following:
On February 14, We Are Idle No More!
♥ V-DAY and One Billion Rising ♥
Idle No More is organizing events in solidarity with two important initiatives on February 14th:
Idle No More is inviting people to join in creating an inclusive Valentines and organize community events to coincide with One Billion Rising (an international campaign to stop violence against women and girls) and Have a Heart Day (an initiative to support Indigenous children). Candle light vigils, teach-ins, rallies, round dances, and other creative acts of awareness, resistance and solidarity are being encouraged. http://www.onebillionrising.org/pages/about-one-billion-rising
♥ HAVE A HEART DAY ♥
On Valentine’s Day, Idle No More is organizing in solidarity with V-Day, which is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. This Valentine’s Day, an international event is taking place known as One Billion Rising. It is an attempt to get One Billion Men and Women to rise against violence towards women and girls. This includes solidarity work with activists demanding action on the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, and globally.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013, celebrate Have a Heart Day by supporting Indigenous children to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and proud of their cultures. Have a Heart Day is about caring Canadians working together to ensure Indigenous children have proper services that make them feel proud of who they are. Explore the Have a Heart Day website for more information, to send an e-Valentine, or to order Have a Heart Valentine’s cards, posters, bookmarks, and buttons: http://www.fncaringsociety.com/have-a-heart
♥ Women’s Memorial March♥
The Women’s Memorial March is an opportunity to come together to grieve the loss of our beloved sisters, remember the women who are still missing, and to dedicate ourselves to justice. Twenty two years ago, in response to a Coast Salish woman’s murder in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, an annual march began on Valentine’s Day to express compassion, community, and caring. Decades later, the march continues to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women. To find a march near you, please visit: http://womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com/national/
Misha Averill is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Indian Studies with a minor in Diversity. Her future aspirations include helping Native American communities through preservation of traditions, culture, language, and human rights. Misha has a special interest in Indigenous Rights and cross-culture interactions, and she hopes to attend law school for tribal government and Indian law.