nativeamericancultures

[nativeamericancultures]

Originally posted by @the-aila-test​ (here), edited to add descriptions of each website and update the links. 

Native-owned businesses to buy from. Taken from the North American Indian Association of Detroit.

For text searching, some of the major categories used are: Food, beverages, clothing, accessories, jewellery, home goods, hygiene, beauty, books, sporting goods — but there are also many items that didn’t fit neatly into those categories, so try ctrl+F / cmd+F for whatever product you have in mind! 

https://www.sweetgrasstradingco.com - Food, beverages (coffee & tea), skincare and grooming, beauty products from a wide variety of different Native-owned brands. The closest thing to a one-stop shop you will get. 

https://nativeharvest.com - Food (maple syrup, jellies, coffee, cereal, soups), jewellery, books and stationery.

https://byellowtail.com - Clothing (stylish af hoodies, swimsuits, cardigans and jackets, tops, scarves, dresses), jewellery, candles, beauty and hygiene (soap, lotions, lip balms) from a variety of Native designers.

https://trickstercompany.com - Clothing (tees, sweatshirts, crop tops, leggings, dresses), accessories (sunglasses, keychains, zipper pulls, headbands, beanies, ties, umbrellas, tote bags, pins), paper goods (stationery, books, prints, stickers, home goods and decor, sporting goods (basketballs, longboards)

https://www.salishstyle.com - Clothing (tees, hoodies), accessories (beanies, some really cool backpacks), stickers, pins, blankets, thermoses

https://hutxh.com - Clothing (tops), accessories (necklaces, hats, bags)

https://furandhide.com - VERY COOL leather and fur products! Drums, flutes, bells, rattles, shells. Also a selection of skulls, bones, claws, teeth, quills, feathers, and obsidian items. 

Continued below the break.

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[nativeamericancultures]

“It’s not just about cooking a meal and having the meal for lunch or dinner, but it’s about connection with our ancestors and how they have been so resilient and strong,” said Jennifer Wheeler.

Jennifer Wheeler, a Navajo language teacher, posted a series of videos on her Facebook page showing her making traditional foods like blue corn much and kneel down bread. Her videos have been shared across the platform tens of thousands of times.

“I didn’t even imagine the response that I’m getting now,” she said.

Wheeler said she hopes the videos, which are recorded solely in Navajo, will help her people learn the complicated language.

“When you act and speak and do all at the same time, the listener will start recognizing that and understanding the action to the verb,” Wheeler said,

Wheeler said she has enough food videos planned to take her through the next couple of months. All of her videos are posted to her Facebook page, but she said she has plans to start a YouTube channel soon.

To view Wheeler’s videos, click here.

[nativeamericancultures]

This better pass.

[nativeamericancultures]

Here is a cute dancing baby to make us all smile during these trying times. 

[Original Post]

[nativeamericancultures]

so in case you’re about to watch a cw television show based in the southwest that’s featuring an episode based on some supposed reservation – or you’ve read anything about the situation on the navajo nation recently – i wanted to share some ways that we all can help the diné (navajo) community beyond kind-of depicting them on television. 

today the navajo nation surpassed new york state and new jersey for the highest per-capita coronavirus infection rate in the country. that’s 2,304 cases per 100,000 people. 173,600 people live on the navajo nation, roughly. below are a number of organizations & community groups raising money & resources. it would mean so much to me if you’d consider supporting these communities right now - & continue to think about how you can support the indigenous communities near you, & understand the indigenous land you might currently occupy. 

the navajo water project helps bring running water to navajo families without, and also helps families pay their water & electricity bills 

the adopt an elder project helps feed navajo elders during the pandemic

the navajo health command operations center is the navajo nation’s only official fundraising and donation effort

rez rising is a database of native american small businesses across the southwest

the kinlani mutual aid group is a flagstaff, az based volunteer group collecting supplies

the native american relief fund operated by the native american community foundation provides emergency grants to communities for supplies & more

and a number of community-run fundraising efforts:

northern diné covid relief effort

navajo & hopi families relief fund

native student emergency fund

bluff area mutual aid - supply delivery in utah

navajo nation relief project

if you’re aware of any other legitimate fundraising efforts to help these communities, or the indigenous communities near you, please add them. 

[nativeamericancultures]

From mtmaven on Instagram.

Although if at the gofundme has reached its initial goal, all additional funds will go to helping the Blackfeet.

If you hear someone questioning or criticizing this decision, interject and make clear that indigenous lives are always and will always matter more than a vacation.

Support them and their decision to close and protect the people. Don’t go to the reservation, and send them some funds to help them during this closure.

[nativeamericancultures]

The Navajo have a unique tradition. When a baby is born, it is regarded as the ultimate, precious gift and must never be abused. From the moment of birth, the child is watched over continuously by family and friends, who patiently wait for the child’s first…laugh.

“Has your baby laughed?” is common question posed to parents who have infants around the age of three months. The first laugh of a Navajo child is a very significant event. It marks the child’s final passing from the spirit world to the physical world, meaning he or she is now fully human. This milestone warrants a party, and what a party it is!

Whichever brother, sister, parent, cousin, aunt, uncle, or passing acquaintance is present at the first laugh is deemed to have caused it.  The laughter instigator then receives the honored privilege of preparing a special ceremony to welcome the child into society.

Once a baby has laughed, training in generosity begins immediately—a value held in high regard among the Navajo people. At the party, where the baby is considered the host, the parents or person responsible for the first laugh help hold the baby’s hand as he or she ceremonially gives the rock salt, food, and gifts to each guest. There are also bags of candy, money, and other presents that the child “gives” along with the food. [x]

Fact Sources/more info: [1] [2] For more facts, follow Ultrafacts

[nativeamericancultures]

this fourth of july think of the indigenous people of america who had their country and land stolen from them with little to no reparations or apologies. land is still being taken. sacred grounds are still being ripped away. there is no “independence” for the people who were here first.

[nativeamericancultures]

Tweet by Dallas Goldtooth:

“Lakota land defenders have blocked access to the Trump rally at Mt Rushmore in the Ȟe Sapa, aka Black Hills! Nat'l guard on scene. Tear gas used. Arrests happening. 

Plz donate to bail. 

venmo: @westriverbailfund (6892 if asked to confirm phone) 

 PayPal to: westriverbailfund@gmail “

SIGNAL BOOST! DONAATE & REBLOG TO SUPPORT LAND DEFENDERS

[nativeamericancultures]

"It does not require many words to speak the truth." - Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

[nativeamericancultures]

Thomas Blackshear II, Paintings.

Masterpieces from revered artist Thomas Blackshear II who lives and works in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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Be sure to follow Supersonic Art on Instagram!

[nativeamericancultures]

Here’s a link to a Google Doc with a bunch of Indigenous organisations which you can donate to, including Black Rainbow (LGBTQIA+ Indigenous organisation) and groups that support incarcerated Aboriginal people and work towards ending Indigenous deaths in custody

[nativeamericancultures]

Native Americans dancing around a dethroned Columbus statue was the content I didn’t know I needed today

[nativeamericancultures]

[nativeamericancultures]

[nativeamericancultures]

I learned in a Latin Studies class (with a chill white dude professor) that when the Europeans first saw Aztec cities they were stunned by the grid. The Aztecs had city planning and that there was no rational lay out to European cities at the time. No organization.

[nativeamericancultures]

Native Americans came to support BLM in Seattle.[x]