UnBQ nehiyawetân pihkatewâpoy minihkwetân

WHITE FRAGILITY

Last week I was assisting a friend to expose racist behavior near a local town surrounded by many First Nation Reservations.  Many of this town's residents have been known for generations to racial profile, conduct racially violent actions, and condone racism in the town since it was overtaken and stolen from Metis Settlers in the area...

As a result of the Facebook post, it was removed several times and put on Facebook Jail (not allowed to post, comment, or use imessenger) for 24 hours.  At the time I found it ironic because in the past many highly racism posts were made for years against people of color and it took many people to get the posts removed but like a Black Pastor in California stated while doing a talk with well known speaker, Time Wise, Facebook is a "White Privileged Social Media" platform that supports Whiteness...

So so true...therefore, I thought I would share further explanation of White Fragility because this is what I see when confronting this Mental Conditioning...

BELOW IS Isaiah Hines WORDS:



Isaiah Hines
May 25 at 9:07pm · South Burlington, VT, United States ·

It’s come to my attention that this image is circulating the “Rebel Alliance” Facebook page and is generating quite a bit of confusion. Just wanted to clear up a few things. This is a picture of me, one year ago, giving my final presentation for my AP Psychology class. For this project, we were allowed to choose any psychology-related concept to research and present to the class. I chose ‘white fragility’. I stand by my presentation and the concept of white fragility and here’s why.
White fragility is a term coined by Westfield State University professor Robin DiAngelo. It refers to a mental state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive actions and biological responses. It is a well-researched, well-documented psychological phenomenon and it was entirely appropriate for the assignment. My psychology teacher also fully approved of the presentation.

Part of why white fragility occurs is because we are falsely taught that racism is an issue solely of moral and immoral people rather than as an issue deeply embedded in our nation's systems and institutions. This means that people believe if they are a good person with good morals, they are incapable of being racist. So, when white people are called out for saying or doing something racially insensitive, they believe they are being called an immoral, bad person. This explains much of the defensiveness.

In truth, as Americans, we are raised in a racist society that exists as a result of our extensive and violent history of race-based oppression, we are all socialized to have racist tendencies. Saying and doing racist things by mistake does not make you a bad person. Everyone will make these mistakes at some point. Instead of seeing being called out as a personal attack on your character, I encourage people to try to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

The reason it is so important to understand this concept is that it can be a HUGE barrier to having effective conversations on race and racism. 

White fragility allows people not to be held accountable for their words and actions, it allows white people to govern when and how racism is discussed, and it reinforces racial power dynamics thus upholding the white supremacy within our society.

I did find it just a little funny how many of the people responding to this image with anger or indignation are actually displaying the psychological concept in action! 

I’ve attached the link to my actual presentation below. I HIGHLY suggest everyone take a look!

WHITE PEOPLE ARE FRAGILE

A Psychological Analysis of the Social Phenomenon That Is White Fragility

By Isaiah Hines

What Is White Fragility?

• The term ‘white fragility’ was coined by Robin DiAngelo. 
• It refers to a mental state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable. This then triggers a range of defensive moves. 
• In America, white people live in a social environment that protects them from race-based stress.
• As a result, white people get to set expectations for racial comfort which in turn lowers their tolerance for racial-stress.

Why Is It A Bad Thing?

• The term ‘white fragility’ was coined by Robin DiAngelo.
• It refers to a mental state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable. This then triggers a range of defensive moves.
• In America, white people live in a social environment that protects them from race-based stress.
• As a result, white people get to set expectations for racial comfort which in turn lowers their tolerance for racial-stress.

Why Does This Happen?

• Most white people understand racism solely as an issue of moral and immoral people.
• They believe if they’re a good person with good intentions, they can’t be racist.
• They also tend to believe that racism consists of easily identifiable singular acts such as racial slurs, hate crimes, etc.
• When white people are called out for doing something racist, they tend to think they are being called a bad person, which upsets them. 

How Can We Avoid It?

          REMEMBER:

• There is no such thing as “reverse racism”
• There is no such thing as “colorblindness”
• Racism is not always overt and due to the racist society that we live in, we are all capable of it.
• Simply speaking about race is not racist.
• When called out for saying/doing something racist, take it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
• You are never “done” unlearning racism.
• Learn how to listen and never try to dominate a conversation on racism with a person of color.

Also, here are some links that I’ve often used when facilitating discussions on this topic. I find both of these pieces extremely helpful and educational.

CULTURE

Why White People Freak Out When They're Called Out About Race < Click Here to Read More

'White fragility' is a defensive response to real conversations about race.

By Sam Adler-Bell / AlterNet

March 12, 2015

White Fragility

by Robin DiAngelo

White people in North America live in a social environment that protects and insulates them from race-based stress. This insulated environment of racial protection builds white expectations for racial comfort while at the same time lowering the ability to tolerate racial stress, leading to what I refer to as White Fragility. White Fragility is a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium. This paper explicates the dynamics of White Fragility. I am a white woman. I am standing beside a black woman. We are facing a group of white people who are seated in front of us. We are in their workplace, and have been hired by their employer to lead them in a dialogue about race. The room is filled with tension and charged with hostility. I have just presented a definition of racism that includes the acknowledgment that whites hold social and institutional power over people of color. A white man is pounding his fist on the table. His face is red and he is furious. As he pounds he yells, “White people have been discriminated against for 25 years! A white person can’t get a job anymore!”

... Read More 

I'm happy to respond to any questions or concerns or just further explain this concept if anyone is interested. Just let me know!

See the original post on Facebook below:

Healing Through Neurodecolonization and Mindfulness"

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird

"Healing through neurodecolonization and mindfulness"

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird speaks at Portland State University, "Healing through neurodecolonization and mindfulness". Indigenous scholar and activist, citizen of the Arikara (Sahniish) and Hidatsa Nations in North Dakota. Dr. Yellow Birds activism focuses on: Native American and other Indigenous Peoples cultural and political rights; Indigenous Peoples’ health and wellness, neurodeocolonization and mindfulness; and Colonization and methods of Decolonization.

He is also co-editor and author of several books: For Indigenous Eyes Only: The Decolonization Handbook, 2005 (with Dr. Waziyatawin); Indigenous Social Work around the World: Towards Culturally Relevant Education and Practice, 2008 (with Drs. Mel Gray and John Coates); For Indigenous Minds Only, 2012 (with Dr. Waziyatawin); and Decolonizing Social Work, 2013 (with Mel Gray, John Coates, and Tiani Hetherington)



DECOLONIZING THE MIND from cheryle easter on Vimeo.

PowerPoint From 2015: Concepts of Traditional Mindfulness and Neurodecolonization of the Mind and Body


Dr. Michel Yellow Bird attended the Indigenous Thought Conference as a Keynote Speaker at the University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills from May 2-5, 2017

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird is a citizen of the Three Affiliated Tribes, (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara), and a Professor of Sociology and Director of Indigenous Tribal Studies at North Dakota State University. He joined the NDSU faculty in the fall of 2014. He has held faculty and/or academic administrative appointments at the University of British Columbia, University of Kansas, Arizona State University, and Humboldt State University.

His teaching, writing, research, and community work focus on Indigenous Peoples’ health, leadership, and cultural rights; the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization; decolonizing social work approaches; decolonizing war and military service; neurodecolonization and mind body approaches; neuroscience and Indigenous Peoples; traditional mindfulness and contemplative practices; ancestral and paleo eating and lifestyle; and the Rights of Mother Earth.

Kehewin Language and Cultural Symposium

A short journal as an attendee of the event...

KEHEWIN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL SYMPOSIUM

KEHEWIN CREE NATION (KCN), TREATY NO. 6 TERRITORY
February 15-17, 2017

“To strive to retain Cree Language with Culture”

KCN Chief Brenda John - Tawaw

It was a pleasure to attend the language conference held in our neighbouring tribe. This was a great opportunity to hear some key trail blazers in language revitalization within our Indigenous Lands and some used research to support the need for revitalization and strategies to strengthen our goals towards success of removing our languages from the endangered status.

The Chief and Council and Elder’s support and presence was exceptional and reflected their focus of treaty and education etc. during the grand entry with our Treaty No. 6 flag, the Crown flag and their nation’s flag present. There was no Canadian or Provincial flag present. This was something another attendee commented on and noticed at the table I was at and she thought this was a great demonstration of honour and respect for who we are as nehiyawak and an honour to witness.

However, on a more personal journey, this was a great opportunity to network with others of like minds, support each other on this journey of reclamation, and reiterate a message that we are all interconnected on this journey together. After all, language is a vital tool way beyond communication.

The three-day conference was very well organized and planned with exceptional Keynote Speakers Belinda Daniels and Solomon Ratt and wide variety of Presenters. It was hard to decide what sessions to attend as some were scheduled longer than others and overlapped. I was left with having to let go

of the opportunity to see some presenter’s sessions. I did, however, attend Darlene Auger’s session on Swing Therapy, half of Jerry Saddlebacks’ session on the nehiyaw Creation Story, and Elmer Ballantyne on wahkotowin. All were exceptional sessions leaving me yearning for more but again leaving me feeling like I needed to let go of my desires to learn more those days. I guess in the future I can hope to cross paths with them again in “Indian Country”.

The first session I attended was Darlene Auger’s and I walked away more enlightened on how she started her journey to start the Swing Exercises. I heard of her work years ago and want to participate in it sometime to assist in furthering my own healing pimohtewin. After she shared her story, she

demonstrated the method with a volunteer. Later, we did discuss doing this with our Master’s Students this spring. This was promising. I strongly believe in the swing for children and helping our people heal from intergenerational traumas. Traumas which can also be barriers for our people to learn our Indigenous languages and a path of resurgence.

The second presenter I briefly listened to was Jerry Saddleback and I walked away with another part of the Creation Story as many are aware, takes days to hear. However, grateful for the piece I did hear on a spirit’s journey on sharing some sacred medicines across our lands even as far as south of the border, before those superficial borders were invented by our colonizers. Every time I have an opportunity to hear him speak, I am grateful for him and the time and energy he puts towards sharing the stories. It is always a blessing to hear him, even if only for a short time.

The third session I attended was with Elmer Ballantyne from Saskatchewan. He shared part of his life and expanded on the importance of kinship and why some of the words are the way they are as they tie into teachings and roles of how we interact with each other. For example, in-laws would not talk to each other as a sign of great respect and find other ways to communicate and often through others or animals or objects. It always is interesting to hear because over the years I have seen some of these behaviors demonstrated and sometimes some didn’t know why, they just did it. Some of this knowledge was shared and some was blood memory. Kinship is always interesting as the connections are not always simple but the kinship system is very complex but also very efficient.

What I remembered the most were the sessions and I did catch parts of the Keynote Speakers words but sometimes, it was not always easy to hear due to the busyness of the gym while they spoke. However, it was great to stay and attend the evening event and listen to a fun laughter filled gym with Don Burnstick. This allowed me to free my spirit and just have some fun and laugh until I cried hahaha. As was all know, I hate laughing! haha


I did walk away with many pictures, some video of wise words from people like KCN Councillor
Ben Badger, and my peers. It was also great to see so many attend as the even was full. I really hope there are more conferences like this locally, with easy access, for our people to attend as the registration was minimal and it included meals and evening entertainment. This was what I liked about it too, welcoming environment, fun, professional but laid back, healthy meals, easy to access and attend, and affordable…but most importantly the exercising of our language and culture!

Memorable three days on Treaty No. 6 Territory reclaiming & resurgence of language and culture...

 

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CHALLENGING COLONIAL SYSTEMS ADOPTED BY INDIANS

SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

When I attended a Treaty 1-11 meeting in 2013 hosted by Onion Lake, there was a presentation to all leaders and treaty people about how Indian Act is set up to policy out all Indians from Inherent and/or Treaty Rights (1950s changed Treaty to Status) and when women from Saddle Lake challenged Indian Affairs, Canada used the bill, C-31 to add their own additional enfranchising criteria to water down or weaken inherent/treaty rights. This wasn’t the intent of the women who challenged Indian Affairs, it was politicians who used the women’s re-instatement challenge to push their own agenda to remove rights over generations (also a White Paper agenda).

What would today be like or the future of all our people if people like Big Bear, Poundmaker, Nellie Carlson, or those of Oka etc. never challenged the systems or colonial people?

Anyways, at this meeting we were all being informed that due to Indian Affairs current policies, more future generations will be refused status/treaty rights to eventually zero band membership registrations by 2050. This was also projected for the future of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in 2050 at current band membership issue. Leaders were advised to challenge Canada and Indian Affairs to protect future generations by taking back control of our ᐊᐧᐦᑯᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ wahkohtowin (kinship) and nationhood so we maintain our inherent and treaty rights as the Original Peoples of Turtle Island etc..

As I was about to scan through a section of the book, “Disinherited Generations”, written by Carlson, Steinhauer, Goyette, I came across a few pages that reminded me of my current situation with this Saddle Lake Cree Nation Election 2016 Federal Judicial Review. 

Disinherited Generations: Our Struggle to Reclaim Treaty Rights for First Nations Women and Their Descendants

by Nellie Carlson

 4.25  ·   Rating Details ·  8 Ratings  ·  3 Reviews

This oral autobiography of two remarkable Cree women tells their life stories against a backdrop of government discrimination, First Nations activism, and the resurgence of First Nations communities. Nellie Carlson and Kathleen Steinhauer, who helped to organize the Indian Rights for Indian Women movement in western Canada in the 1960s, fought the Canadian government#146;s interpretation of treaty and Aboriginal rights, the Indian Act, and the male power structure in their own communities in pursuit of equal rights for Aboriginal women and children. After decades of activism and court battles, First Nations women succeeded in changing these oppressive regulations, thus benefitting thousands of their descendants. Those interested in human rights, activism, history, and Native Studies will find that these personal stories, enriched by detailed notes and photographs, form a passionate record of an important, continuing struggle. (less)

This is not a case about power or control, it’s about rights, the right to be treated fairly, the right to exercise rights as a person/people who are part of a nation, and even exercise the option/choice to serve the people, in a leadership capacity, if the people so choose to exercise their rights to vote a person for that position. 

It is more than just about an election, it’s about all band members not being discriminated against or belittled/excluded or targeted but treated as valuable worthy members of our band or nation with skills to offer for the betterment of our people. It’s about no one being better than another or less than another

…it’s about fairness, respect, exercise rights, and not accept tyranny.

This is what this is about, not all will agree or others have their own belief or idea of why we are challenging the Election process, but I guess we will be accountable to Kise manitow for those actions of truth.

As I opened the book and started to read a section, it reminded me that history is being repeated (Saddle Lake Election 2016 Federal Court Judicial Review hearing January 17, 2017) in the sense of how humans react defensively and persecute people who challenge systems and attempt to create division, conduct fear mongering etc..; especially if they benefit in some way (i.e.. false power, status, financially etc.) from the corrupt system and/or process.

Here is the section I read and decide for yourself, if history is repeating in the sense of the treatment of anyone who challenges corruption etc… At the end of the day, each morning gives us all a new beginning to change our ways, correct, and/or improve life for all/ourselves etc.. for all future generations to benefit.

Here is to nationhood and hope that our ancestors assist and guide us to ensure we be the best we can be and remember to guarantee a future for all our people.

SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

Pages 36, 39, 40: Nellie Leaves Saddle Lake

Read the attached pictures of the pages but these words stand out for those who believe I do not belong or have the right to exercise my rights as a band member…

some people know the history & know how bad the women where treated and even their lives threatened at times too by family members…but they were thinking of our future generations…

as Nellie walks into the Indian Agent office, 

“…I unlocked the hook, and I went in…But I went right in, and said to the Indian Agent, “Sir, I came to say goodbye”. He said, “Get this damn Indian woman out of here!” He just said that. And I said back to him: “See! You called me an Indian woman! That is what I am” He didn’t like to hear me saying that. We were expected to respect them. I guess we didn’t! And I said, 

“I’ve come here to tell you. I’ll be back to fight for my treaty rights.” That’s when he said: “Oh, no, you can’t” And I said: “I can!”…”

Disinherited Generations, Page 36

Disinherited Generations, Page 39

Disinherited Generations, Page 40

SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

I WILL STAND WITH THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN FAIRNESS!  I am humbled to stand with you, Eric Shirt, Valerie Steinhauer, and Greg Cardinal and all our relations and friends.  We walk in a good way!

Additional Resources for Review:

• Request for Resolution
• Restoring Harmony News Brief
• Restoring Harmony in Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Press Release
• Facebook Page: Colonial Indian ACT Redressed Tribal Customs
• Saddle Lake Cree Nation Election 2016 Federal Judicial Review

Descendent of Treaty No. 6 Signatory Chief Pakan, Big Louis, Jonas Cardinal and so forth…wâpimahihkan