#tree equity

[atompowers]

🌞 3 Treemendously Simple Sustainable City Living Scoring Tools

[nightblood999]

Forestry under Trump is a mess.

My coworker, whispering: "to maintain species diversity, we should remove spruce from aspen inclusions"

I nod. I sit at my computer with a thesaurus, I type: "to maintain species variety, all spruce should be removed from clumps of aspen within the stand."

I stare at the screen. I remember I have a degree in forest management. I sigh.

[riotinyellow]

I have a son, carlos he is a standard peanut cactus, and I was wondering, as a cacti parent, are there any laws that protect my sons rights, or do only the trees get their existence acknowledged by the law

[detroitography]

Detroit By The Numbers: April 2025 Data Roundup

25,000 trees planted as part of the Tree Equity Partnership’s goal of 75,000 by 2027 (WDET) 56 mentions of “neighborhood” by Mayor Duggan in his State of the City speech in 2024 after a previous high of 43 in 2015 (DETROITography/Ted Tansley) Check out the data on DetroitData.org 28th round of Motor City Match awards to 13 new brick-and-motor businesses (Detroit Chamber) 6,164 visitors on…

[bookkats]

Walking the Holy Week Walk

GodI amso angryI couldCurse outall the Fig TreesThat are poisoningThe landI am so angryI could Flipthe tablesof all thoseWho are Tricking thePublicwith Slight ofHandMoney ChangingPretend“MoneySaving”TricksGod I am soAngryThat there isNot actuallyA Cursing GodTuesdayThere is notand actuallyJustice MakingMondayThere is notAnActuallyAction-MakingStay up all NightUntil things ChangeSundayWe play…

[baronboar]

This time let's circle back to equity later and focus on some basics! What's up with TAILS?

Transcript under the cut:

1. First of all, why do the people in a setting even need tails? Humans don't have tails for a number of reasons, we don't chase prey so we don't need it to help us change direction like a rudder. We also don't climb trees so we don't need one for keeping hold of branches or for balance. But in a world of megafauna, maybe you need a tail to help you turn fast to flee? Or maybe a hunter needs a rudder to swim? But most importantly!! It's fun & helps your people feel unique!

[IMG: A an anthro rat and sea lion, the rat is leaning over in a similar fashion to the sea lion who naturally stands horizontally like a T-rex. This shows how they both can use tails as counter balance.]

Think about why species in a setting might have tails and perhaps you will think of something that adds depth to your world… For warmth, like a blanket! To increase visibility when foraging! For Combat!!!

[IMG Three tails, a big fluffy artic fox tail, a tall lemur tail, and a spiny draconic tail.]

2. Clothing is the main issue I see brought up when discussing tails & Furgonomics. many solutions can be found when looking at furry artwork, so look around! The only solution i'd say is not valid is…The belt under the tail.

[IMG: a tailed person from behind, their jeans are below the tail, you can see their butt cheeks.] [IMG: Two illustrations of human femurs with tails, the spine points them downwards.]

A tail would sit far too low to comfortably wear trousers there, imagine wearing yours below the pelvis at your hips? Even with a belt that is far too risqué! The best solutions all put the waistband above the tail and either have a hole for the tail or in the case of clothing like dresses and skirts allow the tail to sit freely beneath.

[IMG: Three different people with different garments. The first is labelled 'breech cloth', it's a Y shaped cut of fabric attached to the waist by a string. The second is labelled 'sarong', the feline figure from the side has a length of fabric around the belly with a length hanging down over their pubic area like a loin cloth. The third is the most like trousers/pants, the belt keeps shut a flap that goes over the base of the tail that overlaps with the tail hole.]

In my setting of Firnus different cultures have their own designs to fit environmental needs. The Gilter braghe is a sleeveless trouser designed with modesty in mind. compare this to the rav breechcloth, made for wearing under robes. Or avoid the tail hole all together and beat the heat with the pantheran quarter sarong!

3. So where else can tails be a problem…? CHAIRS.

[IMG: Two normal chairs, they have back rests but also gaps between that and the seat.]

most people are going to jump immediately to seats like these:

But i'm going to make my case as to why this would not be comfortable: See this dog skeleton to the right? When a quadrupedal animal sits, they don't rest on their upper legs or put any pressure on their fragile tails, Instead they rest on their hocks & hind feet! Why? Exactly as we discussed with trousers, tails wouldn't go out, they'd go down. As part of the spine, if you wanted to sit back in a chair your spine would be vertical.

[IMG: A dog skeleton from the side.] [IMG: A small concerned mustelid says: "Sitting on your tail would feel like bending your fingers backwards with your full body weight!"]

…So, I believe anthro species wouldn't want to put pressure on their tails by sitting on them… So we cut a hole out from the bottom and back of the chair, right? Yes! and no. Yes because when you're world building you can do whatever works best for you! But no because I'm not satisfied with this answer and I'm driving this PNG!!!! So how do we fix this? Let's see why chairs even exist in the first place!

[IMG: a chair like the ones above with a half circle cut from the back of the seat.]

4. The earliest (known) chairs come from the 2nd dynasty of Egypt during the Thinite period. These chairs were as short at the seat as 10 inches! …But like, Why? as a status symbol! These caught on as nobility wished to copy kings, and then the common people copied nobility. They're also useful to keep your clothes clean and prevent you from resting on cold or wet ground.

[IMG: Two desert foxes, one on a chair is joyfully sitting upon a chair, covered in gold adornments like a pharaoh. He says: 'I'm sitting higher! So I'm better than you!' The other fox looks concerned, wears no gold as she kneels and says: 'Hm.']

But we don't need kings!! If you want something for similar use without those connotations. Here's some options:

[IMG: Two people sitting on a bench and a large plush pillow as well as a rectangular cushion that's rolled up.]

Kneeling! While many cultures use this to show reverence, few still kneel for comfort.

Benches and stools! Before chairs became affordable for the average person simpler furnishings were commonly used. These don't have tricky tail holes to fumble around with and can be as simple as a plank.

cushions! A thick pillow or rolled rug would allow a person to sit cross-legged without their tail pressing down against a hard surface.

Think about who needs chairs, where they'd be used, and the answer will come naturally! Have fun world building!

[sxnnimoon]

Under pressure || Devil In Lace ch. 1

Harry Castillo x Reader

Tags: arranged marriage, sugar baby x sugar daddy, close proximity, smut/sexual acts(there is plot I promise), secrecy

Summary: He’s the man you’ve been arranged to marry that you’ve never met til now, the only problem? He’s also the man you’ve been a sugar baby for, for months. You know everything about him, he only knows your body and voice. Will you confess? Will you break the sugar baby agreement or just how long will you go to keep it hidden?

A/N: THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WANTED THIS ON AJSJSJJDJD, I really hope you all enjoy this series, if you aren’t on my taglist for this please don’t hesitate to ask to be added ! Also feel free to submit any requests at any time as well.

Masterlist

“Take a couple of bucks, turn ’em into millions.” A quote you've lived by since you could remember. Your father would tell you to go about life as freely as possible unless money was involved. You had a duty to follow given you were the daughter of a government official. You may have been the media's sweetheart but that didn’t mean you couldn’t have fun and have secrets. Much less a secret life.

The drive home from the gallery was smooth and not as busy despite it being 7pm on a thursday. Pulling up to your gate you type in your code and drive along your driveway admiring the scenery filled with trees and greenery as your house comes into view and you can stop getting out.

Once inside your home you are met with your cat Aang.

“Hi baby boy,” you lift him up, earning a few meows of annoyance because he was picked up. Letting out a small giggle, you put him down as you head upstairs to grab some clothes as you head to your shower turning the handle on letting it heat it up before getting in. The hot water hitting your body you couldn’t help but sigh, the feeling soothing your muscles making you close your eyes taking it all in as you listen to the waterfall. You feel on cloud nine, you're soon dragged out of it as your phone starts blowing up making you finish up and get out. Grabbing it you notice various calls and texts from your friends.

A- HELLOOOOOO

WHY AREN’T YOU ANSWERING

R- Please tell me your ass is getting ready.

J- She better be.

I swear if she takes forever like last time…

Y- Oh hey, nice to see you three too.

Will you calm your asses down.

I just got out of the shower!

A- Oh worm ? 👀

J- Can we see?

R- Proof or it didn’t happen.

Y- Goodbye losers.

You giggle as they spam you pleading to see something. When you got a notification that caught your attention even more. Clicking the notification you open the chat and then your camera.

Y- Miss me?

You sent, followed by a picture of your lips and below as the towel hung on you loosely.

H- Evening to you too sweetheart. Miss me that much?

Y- It’s been a week, of course I did.

Where’d you run off to this time?

H- Business trip.

You nodded at the message, he was a busy man. A rich man at that. Harry Castillo, Job description: Private Equity and Sugar Daddy, your sugar daddy. Funny enough you both lived in the same state and never once crossed paths in the city. Hearing the ping of your phone you frown at the message before you.

H- Frankly things may have to slow down between us from this point on.

Y- Oh? How come?

H- Just some things have come up, making it harder to talk with you. Nothing towards you of course.

Y- I’ll miss you

H- It's still up in the air. We’ll talk soon.

Setting your phone back down, you finished getting ready. Curling the final piece of hair, applying lipstick to your lips you made your way back down the stairs. Throwing your boots on, you looked yourself over in the mirror, you looked hot. After taking a few pictures and posting to various social medias about your nightly adventure you head out the door.

The group was picking you up so as you walked down your steps you were met with various whoops and whistles. As you gave them a spin and pose as they hyped you.

“Any louder and the neighbors will hear.” you roll your eyes giggling.

“The nearest one is for miles.” Jackson says.

“That would mean they’ve heard other things now wouldn't it.” Astrid retorted, making everyone laugh.

You shook your head, smirking to yourself as you got in the suv.

“You know..maybe we should stay in.” Roxanne says playfully as she wiggles her eyebrows at you.

“Rox stop flirting and drive.” Jackson yelled from the back, making you laugh.

“I need a drink so let's go.” Astrid hurried.

Pulling up to NOIR you were met with the usual blue and purple lights, loud music, people body to body and drinks flowing. You walked to your usual spot just center right with a view right next to the dance floor, the girls and Jackson not too far behind coming to join you. Once the drinks arrived there was no stopping you and the way you downed them. By the time your buzz hit you were already on the dance floor. You danced for what seemed like hours. As you moved to the beat with a random girl, you felt hands sneak around your waist. Tilting your head back you were met with Astrid.

“Was wondering when one of you was gonna get out here.” you danced against her, her hands gripping your hips.

“You seemed lonely.” She whispered in your ear.

“Oh so funny.” You said playfully.

“J and Rox were making out so I couldn't witness it anymore.” She confessed, making you giggle.

“You wanna head outside for a bit?” You turn to face her.

“Yeah, I could use the fresh air,” she says, dragging you away towards the outdoor patio.

The air was cool, the breeze helping you relax as you were handed a glass.

“It’s just water.” Astrid smiled.

“Thank you.” You took the water drinking it immediately, the chilly liquid sending shivers through your body. Setting the glass down you people watched for a bit from your seat looking out into the city when your phone rang.

“Who is it?” Astrid asked.

“My mom?” You got up walking away to answer.

“Hello?” You answered.

“Hi mi amor,” she answered, making you smile.

“Hola mami, it’s late. You’re not asleep yet?”

“Was just heading to bed shortly but remembered I needed to call you.”

“What’s up?” Nervousness settling in.

“With your birthday coming up there is something we need to discuss with you.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, but we’ll discuss this all.” She paused. “Tomorrow? Over dinner? 6pm.”

“I will see you then.”

Hanging up the phone you returned back to your spot, Rox and J sobered up and now beside Astrid.

“Anything interesting?” Astrid said, taking a drag from her cigarette.

“Pretty sure I’m being cut off.” You joke.

“Everything okay?” Jackson looks at you.

“I don’t know, she asked to meet tomorrow at their place for dinner to talk about something important.” You shrug. “Plan my funeral I guess.”

Your comment makes them laugh.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Rox chimes in. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Yes because being the daughter of a government official who parties and has a sugar daddy doesn’t scream kicked out of the will.” You joke.

“No else knows about that though,” Astrid says. “It’s just us.”

“And it better stay that way.” You point at the three of them.

“How is the heartthrob of the century anyways.” Rox asks.

“Finally got back to me after a week.” You shrugged. “Busy man.” J said.

“He said things are gonna have to slow down with us.” You add. “So I think I was also just dumped by him?”

You look confused.

“Damn.”

“Too good to be true that one.”

“I should get home anyways.” You say, drinking the rest of your water and signing off on your tab. “It’s already 4am and I need sleep.”

“Booo!” They all protested before getting up to hug you as your driver pulled up.

“Call us if you need anything.”

“Update us too.”

Was all you heard as you got in the car and off home you went.

It was 2:40pm by the time you woke up, you had about two hours to get ready and hit the road to your parents house. Moving out was a nice way to enjoy your freedom but the hour drive just to see your parents wasn’t the best choice. Walking to your kitchen you were met with an angry Aang.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” You pet him. “Is the prince famished?”

You joke prepping his food and serving it to him watching the way he ate before making yourself something small to hold you over. Taking your snack with you upstairs you got in the shower to refresh after last night's drinking activities. Once out you walk to your closet to assess different options. It was only dinner with your parents but you couldn’t help but feel something else was coming from it all as you decided on a flowy midi skirt with a small slit along the side and the matching tube top and some heels. It was simple but perfect at the same time. Makeup was kept light with your signature red lip, hair in its natural wavy state.

The drive up was a pain given the after work traffic but soon died down when the scenery changed and you recognized your parents neighborhood, it went from simple suburb to gated off and code entry. As your driver pulled around the water fountain out front you took notice of there being more cars than usual outside. You only had 2 siblings, a sister and a brother and this was way more than their usual vehicles when in town. Opening the door you were met with Lucien, your family’s head of security.

“Miss, fancy seeing you.” He smiled as you went in for a hug.

“I’ve missed you.” You let go of the embrace. “Where is everyone?”

“Out back.” He pointed. “Your mother insisted it be outside to capture the sunset.”

“Figures.” You nod thanking him as you walk throughout your once home. The sound of your heels clicking against the marble floors was all you could hear, it wasn’t until you neared the patio door you heard music and people talking. As you turned the knob of the door you were met with your brother and niece. Making you jump.

“You’re here!” He said excitedly, hugging you at your side not to squish the baby.

“Hello to you too.” You smile as your niece babbles at you.

“They’re all waiting for you.” He pointed out the door.

You nod making your way, turning the corner you see the tent and there being tons of people.

“Some family dinner…” you say under your breath as you walk towards them all, your father being the first to see you.

“Mijita!” He exclaims happily rushing towards you, wrapping you in a big hug. “I've missed you.”

“I missed you too.” You giggle at his excitement. “Where’s mami? She said it was important.”

“Follow me.” He smiles offering his hand which you take. He guides you down the trail towards the garden.

“Pa?” You ask as your dad stops walking just before turning the corner towards the gazebo, “What’s going on?”

“Let your mother explain.” Is all he says before letting you walk alone. As you come around the corner you see your mother waiting for you.

“There you are.” She beams. “Walk with me.”

“What’s going on?” You couldn’t help but ask once again.

“You dressed nice, that’s good.” She looked over your outfit. “You look pretty.”

“Thank you,” you replied. “That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“Do you remember when you were 5 and we took that vacation to Athens?” She looked at you.

“Vividly, but yes.” You respond, stopping when she did and turned to you.

“Do you remember the boy you couldn’t stop following around?” She asked another question. “The boy from the family we met that vacation.”

You shake your head, “I’m not following.”

“The point I’m trying to make is we didn’t meet their family that day, it was planned.” She continued. “We were discussing yours and his engagement.”

“My what?” You look confused.

“You knew this time was coming,” her voice was more serious. “Your marriage has been planned and we figured it was time to meet.”

You noticed your father now behind you both and a man beside him.

“Meet,” You turn to your father and are met with. “Harry.”

Looking between your parents and then back at him you can’t help the shocked expression on your face as you stare at the man you’d been communicating with for almost a year now. It started to make sense now as to why he cut communication.

“Hi.” He smiled down at you.

“Hey.” You stood there awkwardly.

“Harry.” He took your hand.

“Y/n” you watch him shake your hand holding it a little longer as you stare at each other.

“We’ve given him your number and schedule. So you can see eachother often.” you mom says, making you whip your head at her.

“That’s great.” You give a fake smile, dropping his hand.

“Dinner should be ready, we’ll see you there?” Your dad says leaving you alone with him.

“Well they’re lovely.” He says breaking the silence.

“I��yeah. They are something.” You fidget with your hands. “I’m sorry about them.”

You immediately apologize on their behalf.

“No need.” He smiled, “Mien couldn’t be just as happy given my brother is married now.”

“I can agree to that.” You nod, silence taking over.

“We should probably join them.” He offers to try and ease you, making you nod.

“Lead the way.” You give a small smile.

Following him back through the garden and back to the tent you take notice of your parents with whom you presume are him.

“There they are!” Your parents exclaim. His parents are smiling and bringing you in for a hug.

“This is the start of something special.” His mother said.

If only you knew..

Days had passed since the dinner and marriage drop. It was a lot dropped on you and not to mention it was Harry of all people. You’re to marry the man you had a transactional “relationship” with behind your parents back and now you’re set to marry him. You’d made it your mission to stay occupied, always be at the gallery, out on walks or at the gym or like tonight you’d find yourself in your studio for the evening. You were helping a small known girl group and were working on a few routines for a showcase they were to be doing in a few months.

“Mara, you need to relax a little more. Don’t think about it so much.” you say to the girls. “Focus on the music and let it take you. You gotta think of your limbs as jello in order to flow better, Got it?” you looked between them all.

They all nod.

“Good, now Yuli I need you to work on your solo, the rest of you take a break for now.” you smile at them as they all disperse doing their own things.

“I think I get most of it but it's the part just before dropping that I fall to my ass.” she sighs.

You nod knowing what she means. Though the one to suggest it you understood, hesitation mixed with fear could be the main reason.

Standing in front of the mirror as you talk over what she has to do before showing her.

“Alright now pay attention.” you point to her as the music begins.

You let the music play, doing the moves up until the chorus.

I know you’re trying, but you’ll never unravel me…

Jumping into your dancer persona you run a hand down your body seductively and slowly, as you move your hips enticingly from your spot on the chair as you drop down on it. Bouncing slighting.

Unravel me, unravel

Unravel me, unravel

Rolling your hips forward while running a hand through your hand. You push up and off the chair instantly, dropping down to the floor as you grind slightly. Raising your bum, you move it left to right, shaking it a bit as you hit the floor a few times flipping to your back. Raising your hips you run your hands on your thighs before the other dancers come over flipping it to your feet to carry on the rest of the routine with the dancers. Nearing the end of the dance you whine your body as the music ends you pose, one of the dancers holding your thigh as your leg is bent a bit, another has her mouth near your neck. You couldn’t help but giggle at something one of them said before they let down and you go to get a drink of water as the girls cheer for you making you bow as they go quiet which was odd for them.

“Why are you guys so-” you stop mid sentence as you turn around.

“You know this,” he starts to say before shaking his head coming your way. “That was something.”

He is now standing in front of you.

“Oh really now?” you raise a brow, lifting your head slightly up at him.

He nods, smirking looking down to meet your eyes, not breaking eye contact. “What brings you to my studio Castillo?” you cross your arms. “I’m in the middle of a practice.”

“I can see that, but come on. Harry is fine.” he smiles. “Just thought I’d stop by to bring you some snacks and invite you out for food and maybe a drink.”

“I see,” you nod, noticing the way he looks around as if he’d see the place before somewhere, “Well I got a session to finish, pick me up in an hour?”

He smiles, taking your hand kissing it, he waves bye to the girls then leaves.

The girls start giggling like crazy.

“He’s so into you.” Mari says.

“If only I was a few years older.” Nani says dramatically, sighing.

“Y/n he is too fine.” Kali whistles.

“Yah you guys are too immature for him and the situation with him is—complicated.” you point at them. “Now let's continue so you guys have some free time for the night. And I can plan my eventful evening.”

You giggle, sticking your tongue out as they throw towels at you.

You continue their practice for another three or so hours before ending the session and saying goodbyes and heading to change and shower before you lock up, say goodbye to the security and head right out the door as you see Harry standing right outside the vehicle waiting.

“Fancy.” You look over the sleek black car he stood in front of.

“Shall we?” He asked, holding the door open for you. Getting in he slid in next to you. You couldn’t help the way your nerves rose when his knee touched yours. This is the same man that’s seen you nude and in scandalous ways through picture and video. The same man that would send you money just for talking to him. Yet here you were nervous as can be in the back seat next to the same you’re now supposed to marry.

As you say through dinner with him you felt yourself relax some but still couldn’t help the feeling deep down of wanting to tell him the truth. He was currently talking about himself some as you listened on despite knowing almost everything about him. You watched as he picked up the check with ease.

“I’m impressed.” You say.

“And why is that?” He looks at you.

“You’re putting in a lot for someone you just met” you sip your wine. “Much less someone you only just found out you’re to marry.”

“We’re meant to be spending the rest of our lives together. It’s common courtesy for the man to treat his woman to be.” He says, the smoothness in his voice just almost convincing you.

“Treating her is a privilege, getting to know and cherish her is a lifetime. Get to know me, for me and maybe we’ll actually have a deal.” You smile.

“A challenge.” He nods. “Maybe you got yourself a deal.”

“I’ll hold you to it Castillo.” You shake on it watching the way he kisses your hand, there’s a hesitation in it. Almost like he’s forcing himself to be affectionate. A flaw perhaps? Maybe he’s not the perfect man after all.

As you laid in bed you couldn’t help but ponder his hesitation but also in the back of your mind you couldn’t help but come up with a plan out of your little situation. The plan of seeing how long it took before either he cracked or you did on who confessed first over the mystery relationship you two shared. Reaching for your phone you sat up. Opening the familiar app you began typing.

I thought about your offer of parting ways. Maybe there’s a way to solidify this a little longer? You know I can’t stop thinking of you for longer than a day. Compromise for me? xx 💋

Attached was a mirror picture of yourself. Within minutes you received a reply.

Anything you’d like, just say the words :)

Game on Castillo. Game on.

Tags: @loveisacowboyyy @aleariixx @wowitsafemale @chewie-bars @mayhimouto513 @lectersimp @wow-life-love4 @sukitruqui @alien-consummation @nishsyz @lezbean-with-a-side-of-dilfs @glitterspark @mystickittytaco @maya-m-i-a

[cyanidepix]

WHAT IS DEI? ⬇️

The DEI,

DIVERSITY - Age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, physical ability, and ethnicity

EQUITY - Equal opportunity and fair treatment

INCLUSION - Making a safe and welcoming environment and every opinion and idea is valued and taken into consideration

Is a program that strived to give minorities (typically groups that have been historically underrepresented) an equal opportunity in the hiring process and in the workplace.

One misconception among conservatives and MAGAs is that the DEI program was implemented to hire “under qualified” POC over white “qualified” people.

Donald Trump has recently given a speech about the deadly D.C plane crash. He blames the crash on the pilots skin color. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

Donald Trump has failed to give any evidence of the pilots skin color causing the crash.

“Are you saying this crash was somehow caused and the result of diversity hiring? And what evidence do you have to support these claims?”

“It just could have been.”

In addition to this, Karoline Leavitt, the White House’s Press secretary, has doubled down on Trumps claim and even says, “When you are flying on a airplane with your loved ones, which every one of us in this room has, do you pray that your plane lands safely and gets you to your destination? Or do you pray the pilot has a certain skin color? I think we all know the answer to that question and as President Donald Trump said yesterday, it’s common sense.”

Both Karoline Leavitt and Donald Trump failed to give any evidence or any form of support on their claims.

TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ELIMINATING FEDERAL DEI PROGRAMS ⬇️

Every federal department and agency were notified to tell all of their federal employees who work on DEI programs that they are being placed on paid leave immediately. All of those programs across the federal government will soon be shut down.

Companies have now been seen distancing themselves from these DEI policies ⬇️

Meta

McDonald’s

Walmart

Amazon

Lowes

John Deere

Tractor supply

Brown Forman

Ford

Google

Home Depot

Starbucks

Ross

Toyota

Nissan

Facebook

Netflix

Sam’s Club

Without the DEI policy in place, these companies may be unable to incorporate different perspectives and provide a lack of variety. Ultimately leading to the companies lacking in success.

These are companies and ENFORCING their DEI policies ⬇️

E.l.f Cosmetics

Ben & Jerry’s

Apple

Chick fil a

Visa

Logitech

CostCo

Macys

Kroger

Old Navy

Nordstrom

TJ maxx

Go to Foods (Aunt Anne’s, McAlisters, MCinnabon, and Moes Southwest Grill)

Dollar Tree

Wegmans

Sallys Beauty Supply

Trader Joe’s

Walgreens

Do what you will with this information, and please stay safe 💕

[tothelasthoursofmylife]

Countess Cloudia Phantomhive and Victorian Inheritance Customs

With the snippet of the Phantomhive family tree now having been shown in the anime, I decided to make a little post to hopefully answer some of the questions that might come up!

Could a 19th-century English noblewoman...

... inherit her family estate? Yes, she could.

There was no law that stipulated that someone had to bequeath their possessions (estate, wealth) to a male relative. The rich and the noble wanted to protect their possessions, of course, and created wills that ensured that their estates and wealth would not fall into just anyone's hands but remained securely within their (close) family. If there was no close male relative (or none they wished to make their inheritor), it was not uncommon for people to will their possessions to a close female relative instead.

In Jane Eyre (1847), she famously inherits her paternal uncle's entire wealth of 20,000 pounds (the book is set sometime during George III's late reign, making the last possible (full) year 1819; this would make her inheritance 2,32 million pounds nowadays (she only keeps £5,000 = £580,000)) because he chose to will it to her, overlooking, i.a., a nephew simply because he once had a terrible fight with said nephew's father (his brother-in-law/his sister's husband). In The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848), Helen is the heiress to her uncle's fortune, not her brother (who inherited their father's estate already). Wuthering Heights' (1847) Catherine Linton (Catherine Earnshaw's daughter) was the heir of Thrushcross Grange.

Female heiresses were not restricted to fiction though:

(Women and Marriage in Nineteenth-Century England by Joan Perkin; Ch.3)

The rich and the noble had access to a private law system that was administered by the Court of Equity. This allowed noblewomen to have their own estates and incomes, albeit secured by trust funds/trustees. This system protected their inherited family wealth from their husbands even under coverture. (While single women, feme soles, could possess their own property, they would usually lose all rights to it to their husbands upon marriage because of coverture laws. The trust system prevented this.)

Marriage settlements (marriage contracts that, due to their complexity, could only be afforded by the rich) could also protect the daughters of noble and/or wealthy families as they, i.a., stipulated how much money she would receive monthly or annually (pin money), and how much money she would receive upon her husband's death.

(Courtship and Marriage in Victorian England by Jennifer Phegley; Ch. 1)

This was the best case scenario for women of the upper classes (and the wealthy middle class).

(Feminism, Marriage, and the Law in Victorian England by Mary Lyndon Shanley; Ch. 1)

Nevertheless, the rich knew how to protect their wealth, then as now. The aforementioned private laws also helped to pave the way for women of all social classes and statuses to have their own possessions.

Little excursus:

Their vast fortunes also granted certain freedoms to rich heiresses, i.a., the freedom to choose a husband as they pleased. After all, they did not have to think about "making a good match" anymore. They were themselves filthy rich already after all! The fact that their wealth was protected also kept them safer from vultures.

(Women and Marriage in Nineteenth-Century England by Joan Perkin; Ch.3)

"Love" emerged as a reason for marriage in the late 18th century and became more common and popular throughout the 19th.

(Love as Passion: The Codification of Intimacy by Niklas Luhmann; Ch. 14)

However, that never stopped matrimony from being a serious business. No matter what, many people put a lot of care and thought into deciding who to marry. After all, divorces were an expensive hassle until 1857 (previously, one needed a costly Act of Parliament to obtain a divorce, and the process of obtaining a divorce was particularly difficult for women too: between 1827 and 1857 only three divorces that were petitioned by women were granted; the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1857 established a civil divorce court and expanded the rights of women). It was easier for rich women to choose to marry for love; still, many opted to remain cautious nonetheless.

(For example, what about the children one might have within a marriage? Upon a wedded union's dissolution, women had difficulties getting custody of their own children. The Custody of Infants Act 1839 allowed women to petition for custody of their children if they were 7 or under. It took until 1873, with the Infant Custody Act, for the age to be lifted from 7 to 16. It also removed the 1839 Act's stipulation that she would not be given custody if she had committed adultery. Before 1839, the father always got full custody. Caroline Norton believed she made a "good match," only to get stuck with an abusive husband who, i.a., beat her and did not let her access their children upon their separation for years.)

... keep her surname?/give her surname to her husband? Yes, she could.

The nobility and the rich, naturally, were very attached to their surnames. After all, it was their family marker, and they were proud of their family history, may it be because they came from a long line of nobles and/or because their ancestor created the family business that gave them their wealth.

When there was no (suitable) close male heir and a female one was chosen instead, the question arose, "what of the family name?" Women often took their husbands' surname upon marriage after all; in this case, however, it might mean the "end" of their old, history-charged and/or important family name.

So, people simply decreed in their wills that, whoever their heiress married, would have to take her surname upon marriage.

Further, men who wanted to marry rich heiresses, of course, thought the wedding to be an honour and did not want to offend their powerful and wealthy in-laws. They, thus, often chose to hyphenate their surname with their wife's. (And the more important surnames you can show off, the better too!)

(Women and Marriage in Nineteenth-Century England by Joan Perkin; Ch.3)

Some examples:

Charles William Stewart took his wife's surname Vane (not even hyphenated!! it fully "replaced" his) when they got married in 1819 because Frances Vane was a rich heiress and her father stipulated in his will that her future husband had to take her surname, period.

In 1811, John Ward changed his surname to Ward-Boughton-Leigh after marrying Theodosia de Malsburgh Boughton-Leigh. "Boughton" is the maiden name of Theodosia's mother, "Leigh" her father's surname. She was the only heir to the fortunes of both her parents, so all families had to be honoured.

The marquessate of Salisbury belongs to the Gascoyne-Cecil family. Up until 1821, the family name was just Cecil. "Gascoyne" comes from Frances Gascoyne who married James Cecil; James hyphenated his surname with hers. She brought a considerable "Liverpool fortune" into the family. The Cecils were (and are!) very powerful and they still changed their surname.

Men also retroactively changed their surnames to their wives' maiden name if she suddenly received a great inheritance. (This could lead to some fun names like "Cresswell Cresswell.")

... hold a noble title in her own right? Yes, she could.

Henrietta Godolphin was the Duchess of Marlborough in her own right (suo jure) because of an act of parliament in 1706. (Her younger brother was meant to inherit the title but he died before their father and it went to her instead.) Henrietta's eldest son William became heir apparent to her dukedom (and his father's earldom, but that would only have been a "secondary" title because dukes > earls). Unfortunately, her son predeceased her, and the title went to her nephew instead.

This was not the first or last case of a woman holding a title in her own right. The Wikipedia article on suo jure lists more such cases.

Also: Vincent and Francis are full siblings! (Yana's tweet/Ducky's translation)

No matter whether Cloudia was married to Cedric or not, Vincent and Francis would never be bastards and always legitimate children in the face of the law.

*Note: Laws on women's property rights/custody/divorce/etc. changed multiple times throughout the 19th century; their effects on women also differed amongst the different social classes. As this post is about Cloudia's (possible) situation, it mostly deals with laws and such that would have applied to her as a noblewoman (late 18th to mid-19th century/1866).

A chronology on English marriage law:

(Courtship and Marriage in Victorian England by Jennifer Phegley)

[apricitystudies]

what i read in 2024: best of, part one

(previous editions) bold = favourite

class, race, gender, & sexuality

the crisis over american manhood is really code for something else

slash and burn: is private equity out of control?

my elusive pain: living with the enduring pain of postcolonial trauma (france)

socialism for the rich

from tuxedos to tattoos, eleanor medhurst's unsuitable traces a hidden history of lesbian fashion

the political economy of race in singapore

how two single moms escaped an alleged sex-trafficking ring and ultimately saved each other

politics & current affairs

'in my books, it's murder' (australia/afghanistan)

south korea's long history of martial law – and impeachments

"between the hammer and the anvil"

in this police youth program, a trail of sexual abuse across the u.s.

how do 11 people go to jail for one murder? (uk)

cycle of despair (australia)

'lavender': the ai machine directing israel's bombing spree in gaza

utopia brasileira

other

one thing after another: a reading list for lovers & makers of lists

toormina video (comic)

the eugenicist of unesco

inside the surprisingly secretive world of crisp flavours

friend or faux?

your body, your self, your surgeon, his instagram

we all want to live in the golden girls house — don't we?

"he actually believes he is khalid": the amazing 30-year odyssey of a counterfeit saudi prince

the trees that miss the mammoths

what the us invasion did to iraqi archaeology

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - May 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Support me on Ko-fi! Also, if you tip me on Ko-fi, at the end of the month I'll send you a link to all of the articles I found but didn't use each week - almost double the content!

1. Translocation of 2,000 rhinos in Africa gets underway in “one of the most audacious conservation efforts of modern times”

“The 2,000 rhinos - more than are currently found in any single wild location in Africa - represent around 12-15% of the continent’s remaining white rhino population. […] “Rhinos perform an important ecological function in the environment as a large grazing herbivore,” says Dale Wepener[….] “The protection of rhino is far more than just looking after rhino; other species that occur in the protected areas will benefit from the protection,” explains Jooste. “This will lead to an increase in diversity and result in much healthier ecosystems.”

2. Florida Corridor Buffers Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife — And People

“A massive multi-partner effort that has conserved 10 million acres for wildlife in Florida over past decades will help buffer wildlife—and people—from the effects of climate change, a new report says. […] Protecting these corridors is important for wildlife genetics, demography and connectivity […], conducting prescribed fires in the corridor can reduce the risk of more intense wildfires [… and] they can provide buffers against hurricanes and seasonal thunderstorms.”

3. Global life expectancy to increase by nearly 5 years by 2050 despite geopolitical, metabolic, and environmental threats

“Increases are expected to be largest in countries where life expectancy is lower, contributing to a convergence of increased life expectancy across geographies. The trend is largely driven by public health measures that have prevented and improved survival rates from cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19, and a range of communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs).”

4. Valencia has Spain’s longest urban park

“Jardin del Turia (Turia Garden) is the green spine of the City of Valencia and Spain’s (and possibly Europe’s) longest urban park stretching for a length of 8.5 kilometres [… and] the current administration plans to make Jardin del Turia Europe’s largest city green space by extending it to the sea[….] Almost all Valencia residents (97 per cent) live within 300 metres of an urban green space. […] Jardin del Turia is a true urban oasis that provides exceptional thermal comfort, with a temperature difference of up to three degrees compared to other areas of the city.”

5. This Paint Could Clean Both Itself and the Air

“When an artificial ultraviolet light source shines on [photocatalytic] paint, the nanoparticles react with pollutants to make them break down—theoretically removing them from the nearby air and preventing a discoloring buildup. [… R]esearchers developed a new photocatalytic paint that they claim works using UV rays from ordinary sunlight, making its self-cleaning properties easier to activate. They’ve also shown that they can effectively produce this paint from recycled materials [including fallen leaves].”

6. Planting Seedlings for a Cooler Rockingham

“A dedicated group of volunteers recently planted over a thousand native seedlings in Lewington Reserve [… and] re-established canopy cover to areas of the reserve to create cooling shade for the local community and provide homes for native wildlife. […] Planting lots of trees and shrubs in urban areas can help create shade and cool cities, mitigating the impacts of climate change, contributing to biodiversity conservation and building greener, more resilient communities.”

7. Sydney’s first dedicated affordable housing for trans women designed to deliver ‘positive outcomes’

“Community housing provider and charity Common Equity NSW, […] which is for people on very low to moderate incomes, prides itself on creating inclusive living and promotes the independence and well-being of people and communities […, and] will deliver the first-of-its-kind social housing in a bid to provide a safe place to live for transgender women seeking an affordable home.”

8. Rewilding: How a herd of bison reintroduced to Romania is helping ‘supercharge’ carbon removal

“170 European Bison reintroduced to Romania’s Țarcu mountains could help capture and store the carbon released by up to 84,000 average US petrol cars each year. […] By grazing a 48 square kilometre area of grassland in a wider landscape of 300 kilometres squared, they helped to capture an additional 54,000 tonnes of carbon each year. That is around 10 times the amount that would be captured by the ecosystem without the bison.”

9. World’s biggest grids could be powered by renewables, with little or no storage

“[…] 100% renewable supply can then match the load by putting surplus electricity into two kinds of distributed storage worth that [an energy expert] says are worth buying anyway – ice-storage air-conditioning and smart bidirectional charging of electric cars, and recover that energy when needed, filling the last gaps with unobtrusively flexible demand.”

10. Supporting the Long-Term Survival of Copper River Salmon and Alaska Native Traditions

“With $4.3 million in NOAA funds, the Copper River Watershed Project and The Eyak Corporation will remove fish passage barriers, opening more streams for salmon spawning and subsistence fishing. [… As part of this effort, o]ld narrow culverts that constrict water flow will be replaced with “stream simulation” culverts wide enough to fit the full stream, including its banks. They are also deep to allow contractors to place stones and other material inside to mimic a natural stream bottom.”

May 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[innerfiresalad]

Native Americans Hurt by Federal Health Cuts, Despite RFK Jr.’s Promises of Protection

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation leaders took turns talking with the U.S. government’s top health official as they hiked along a sandstone ridge overlooking their rural, high-desert town before the morning sun grew too hot.Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, paused at the edge with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Below them, tribal government buildings, homes, and juniper trees dotted the tan and deep-red landscape.Nygren said he wanted Kennedy to look at the capital for the nation of about 400,000 enrolled members. The tribal president pointed toward an antiquated health center that he hoped federal funding would help replace and described life for the thousands of locals without running water due to delayed government projects.Nygren said Kennedy had already done a lot, primarily saving the Indian Health Service from a round of staffing cuts rippling through the federal government.“When we started hearing about the layoffs and the freezes, you were the first one to stand up for Indian Country,” he told Kennedy, of his move to spare the federal agency charged with providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.But Nygren and other Navajo leaders said cuts to federal health programs outside the Indian Health Service are hurting Native Americans.“You’re disrupting real lives,” Cherilyn Yazzie, a Navajo council delegate, told KFF Health News as she described recent changes.Kennedy has repeatedly promised to prioritize Native Americans’ health care. But Native Americans and health officials across tribal nations say those overtures are overshadowed by the collateral harm from massive cuts to federal health programs.The sweeping reductions have resulted in cuts to funding directed toward or disproportionately relied on by Native Americans. Staffing cuts, tribal health leaders say, have led to missing data and poor communication.The Indian Health Service provides free health care at its hospitals and clinics to Native Americans, who, as a group, face higher rates of chronic diseases and die younger than other populations. Those inequities are attributable to centuries of systemic discrimination. But many tribal members don’t live near an agency clinic or hospital. And those who do may face limited services, chronic underfunding, and staffing shortages. To work around those gaps, health organizations lean on other federally funded programs.“There may be a misconception among some of the administration that Indian Country is only impacted by changes to the Indian Health Service,” said Liz Malerba, a tribal policy expert and citizen of the Mohegan Tribe. “That’s simply not true.”Tribes have lost more than $6 million in grants from other HHS agencies, the National Indian Health Board wrote in a May letter to Kennedy.Janet Alkire, chairperson of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas, said at a May 14 Senate committee hearing that those grants paid for community health workers, vaccinations, data modernization, and other public health efforts.The government also canceled funding for programs it said violated President Donald Trump’s ban on “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” including one aimed at Native American youth interested in science and medicine and another that helps several tribes increase access to healthy food — something Kennedy has said he wants to prioritize.Tribal health officials say slashed federal staffing has made it harder to get technical support and money for federally funded health projects they run.The firings have cut or eliminated staff at programs related to preventing overdoses in tribal communities, using traditional food and medicine to fight chronic disease, and helping low-income people afford to heat and cool their homes through the Low Income Home Energy Program.The Oglala Sioux Tribe is in South Dakota, where Native Americans who struggle to heat their homes have died of hypothermia. Through mid-May the tribe hadn’t been able to access its latest

[friedmentalityyouth]

Native Americans Hurt by Federal Health Cuts, Despite RFK Jr.’s Promises of Protection

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation leaders took turns talking with the U.S. government’s top health official as they hiked along a sandstone ridge overlooking their rural, high-desert town before the morning sun grew too hot.Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, paused at the edge with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Below them, tribal government buildings, homes, and juniper trees dotted the tan and deep-red landscape.Nygren said he wanted Kennedy to look at the capital for the nation of about 400,000 enrolled members. The tribal president pointed toward an antiquated health center that he hoped federal funding would help replace and described life for the thousands of locals without running water due to delayed government projects.Nygren said Kennedy had already done a lot, primarily saving the Indian Health Service from a round of staffing cuts rippling through the federal government.“When we started hearing about the layoffs and the freezes, you were the first one to stand up for Indian Country,” he told Kennedy, of his move to spare the federal agency charged with providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.But Nygren and other Navajo leaders said cuts to federal health programs outside the Indian Health Service are hurting Native Americans.“You’re disrupting real lives,” Cherilyn Yazzie, a Navajo council delegate, told KFF Health News as she described recent changes.Kennedy has repeatedly promised to prioritize Native Americans’ health care. But Native Americans and health officials across tribal nations say those overtures are overshadowed by the collateral harm from massive cuts to federal health programs.The sweeping reductions have resulted in cuts to funding directed toward or disproportionately relied on by Native Americans. Staffing cuts, tribal health leaders say, have led to missing data and poor communication.The Indian Health Service provides free health care at its hospitals and clinics to Native Americans, who, as a group, face higher rates of chronic diseases and die younger than other populations. Those inequities are attributable to centuries of systemic discrimination. But many tribal members don’t live near an agency clinic or hospital. And those who do may face limited services, chronic underfunding, and staffing shortages. To work around those gaps, health organizations lean on other federally funded programs.“There may be a misconception among some of the administration that Indian Country is only impacted by changes to the Indian Health Service,” said Liz Malerba, a tribal policy expert and citizen of the Mohegan Tribe. “That’s simply not true.”Tribes have lost more than $6 million in grants from other HHS agencies, the National Indian Health Board wrote in a May letter to Kennedy.Janet Alkire, chairperson of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas, said at a May 14 Senate committee hearing that those grants paid for community health workers, vaccinations, data modernization, and other public health efforts.The government also canceled funding for programs it said violated President Donald Trump’s ban on “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” including one aimed at Native American youth interested in science and medicine and another that helps several tribes increase access to healthy food — something Kennedy has said he wants to prioritize.Tribal health officials say slashed federal staffing has made it harder to get technical support and money for federally funded health projects they run.The firings have cut or eliminated staff at programs related to preventing overdoses in tribal communities, using traditional food and medicine to fight chronic disease, and helping low-income people afford to heat and cool their homes through the Low Income Home Energy Program.The Oglala Sioux Tribe is in South Dakota, where Native Americans who struggle to heat their homes have died of hypothermia. Through mid-May the tribe hadn’t been able to access its latest

[mysticlovetidalwave]

Native Americans Hurt by Federal Health Cuts, Despite RFK Jr.’s Promises of Protection

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation leaders took turns talking with the U.S. government’s top health official as they hiked along a sandstone ridge overlooking their rural, high-desert town before the morning sun grew too hot.Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, paused at the edge with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Below them, tribal government buildings, homes, and juniper trees dotted the tan and deep-red landscape.Nygren said he wanted Kennedy to look at the capital for the nation of about 400,000 enrolled members. The tribal president pointed toward an antiquated health center that he hoped federal funding would help replace and described life for the thousands of locals without running water due to delayed government projects.Nygren said Kennedy had already done a lot, primarily saving the Indian Health Service from a round of staffing cuts rippling through the federal government.“When we started hearing about the layoffs and the freezes, you were the first one to stand up for Indian Country,” he told Kennedy, of his move to spare the federal agency charged with providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.But Nygren and other Navajo leaders said cuts to federal health programs outside the Indian Health Service are hurting Native Americans.“You’re disrupting real lives,” Cherilyn Yazzie, a Navajo council delegate, told KFF Health News as she described recent changes.Kennedy has repeatedly promised to prioritize Native Americans’ health care. But Native Americans and health officials across tribal nations say those overtures are overshadowed by the collateral harm from massive cuts to federal health programs.The sweeping reductions have resulted in cuts to funding directed toward or disproportionately relied on by Native Americans. Staffing cuts, tribal health leaders say, have led to missing data and poor communication.The Indian Health Service provides free health care at its hospitals and clinics to Native Americans, who, as a group, face higher rates of chronic diseases and die younger than other populations. Those inequities are attributable to centuries of systemic discrimination. But many tribal members don’t live near an agency clinic or hospital. And those who do may face limited services, chronic underfunding, and staffing shortages. To work around those gaps, health organizations lean on other federally funded programs.“There may be a misconception among some of the administration that Indian Country is only impacted by changes to the Indian Health Service,” said Liz Malerba, a tribal policy expert and citizen of the Mohegan Tribe. “That’s simply not true.”Tribes have lost more than $6 million in grants from other HHS agencies, the National Indian Health Board wrote in a May letter to Kennedy.Janet Alkire, chairperson of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas, said at a May 14 Senate committee hearing that those grants paid for community health workers, vaccinations, data modernization, and other public health efforts.The government also canceled funding for programs it said violated President Donald Trump’s ban on “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” including one aimed at Native American youth interested in science and medicine and another that helps several tribes increase access to healthy food — something Kennedy has said he wants to prioritize.Tribal health officials say slashed federal staffing has made it harder to get technical support and money for federally funded health projects they run.The firings have cut or eliminated staff at programs related to preventing overdoses in tribal communities, using traditional food and medicine to fight chronic disease, and helping low-income people afford to heat and cool their homes through the Low Income Home Energy Program.The Oglala Sioux Tribe is in South Dakota, where Native Americans who struggle to heat their homes have died of hypothermia. Through mid-May the tribe hadn’t been able to access its latest

[furryballoondestiny]

Native Americans Hurt by Federal Health Cuts, Despite RFK Jr.’s Promises of Protection

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation leaders took turns talking with the U.S. government’s top health official as they hiked along a sandstone ridge overlooking their rural, high-desert town before the morning sun grew too hot.Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, paused at the edge with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Below them, tribal government buildings, homes, and juniper trees dotted the tan and deep-red landscape.Nygren said he wanted Kennedy to look at the capital for the nation of about 400,000 enrolled members. The tribal president pointed toward an antiquated health center that he hoped federal funding would help replace and described life for the thousands of locals without running water due to delayed government projects.Nygren said Kennedy had already done a lot, primarily saving the Indian Health Service from a round of staffing cuts rippling through the federal government.“When we started hearing about the layoffs and the freezes, you were the first one to stand up for Indian Country,” he told Kennedy, of his move to spare the federal agency charged with providing health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.But Nygren and other Navajo leaders said cuts to federal health programs outside the Indian Health Service are hurting Native Americans.“You’re disrupting real lives,” Cherilyn Yazzie, a Navajo council delegate, told KFF Health News as she described recent changes.Kennedy has repeatedly promised to prioritize Native Americans’ health care. But Native Americans and health officials across tribal nations say those overtures are overshadowed by the collateral harm from massive cuts to federal health programs.The sweeping reductions have resulted in cuts to funding directed toward or disproportionately relied on by Native Americans. Staffing cuts, tribal health leaders say, have led to missing data and poor communication.The Indian Health Service provides free health care at its hospitals and clinics to Native Americans, who, as a group, face higher rates of chronic diseases and die younger than other populations. Those inequities are attributable to centuries of systemic discrimination. But many tribal members don’t live near an agency clinic or hospital. And those who do may face limited services, chronic underfunding, and staffing shortages. To work around those gaps, health organizations lean on other federally funded programs.“There may be a misconception among some of the administration that Indian Country is only impacted by changes to the Indian Health Service,” said Liz Malerba, a tribal policy expert and citizen of the Mohegan Tribe. “That’s simply not true.”Tribes have lost more than $6 million in grants from other HHS agencies, the National Indian Health Board wrote in a May letter to Kennedy.Janet Alkire, chairperson of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas, said at a May 14 Senate committee hearing that those grants paid for community health workers, vaccinations, data modernization, and other public health efforts.The government also canceled funding for programs it said violated President Donald Trump’s ban on “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” including one aimed at Native American youth interested in science and medicine and another that helps several tribes increase access to healthy food — something Kennedy has said he wants to prioritize.Tribal health officials say slashed federal staffing has made it harder to get technical support and money for federally funded health projects they run.The firings have cut or eliminated staff at programs related to preventing overdoses in tribal communities, using traditional food and medicine to fight chronic disease, and helping low-income people afford to heat and cool their homes through the Low Income Home Energy Program.The Oglala Sioux Tribe is in South Dakota, where Native Americans who struggle to heat their homes have died of hypothermia. Through mid-May the tribe hadn’t been able to access its latest

[fairyfawm]

if you live in aotearoa and you haven't made a submission on the regulatory standards bill please consider doing so!

here is a link tree with a bunch of articles, information, and resources, and a google doc that i think is particularly helpful (if you don't know where to start, try the google doc).

you can submit your thoughts to the select committee here until 1pm 23 june NZST.

if you're not up for writing much even just saying you oppose it and giving a single sentence reason why is great! could be related to it breaching te tiriti, worsening greenhouse gas emissions, lack of environmental protections, prioritisation of profit for the wealthy over public interest and safety, ignoring of inequality and the necessity of equity based policies, or the financial cost of compensating companies for lost profits and the effects that would have on tax rates and funding for public services.