We are still here — and we still need your support!
Guest Post by Mari Villaluna
This Thanksgiving many families will celebrate a holiday founded on the genocide of Native people. When we teach kids that Native people only existed in the past, we participate in their erasure. Many Americans don’t know there are many Native people still fighting for legal recognition by the United States government.
Mari Villaluna is a twin-spirit parent, educator and Indigenous organizer. In this guest post, they share ideas on ways you can GET INVOLVED TODAY to support justice and self-determination for Native people. You can follow them on Instagram @solomamihood and Facebook at @beautifulmariposa.
We are still here — and we still need your support!
The Wampanoag are the people that discovered the “Pilgrims”. Currently, the Trump Administration is refusing to give this tribe the federal recognition status of the Mashpee Wampanoag this year. This literally means that their reservation, tribal services, etc.could all be lost!
This is settler-colonialism and is an example of the ways the US government uses the legal system to genocide a whole nation of people.
In the Mashpee Wamppanoag’s own words:
“The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s citizens are currently suffering a massive loss of resources and services due to the uncertainty of the trust status of the Reservation. Millions of dollars of funding are being lost or delayed for our clean water program, our children’s education through our Mukayuhsak Weekuw immersion pre-school and kindergarten and critical community service programs. It’s also a direct threat to our emergency services, housing and substance abuse program that’s desperately needed to combat the opioid epidemic.
These are just a few of the ways this negative ruling is impacting our community and our children. Please consider ways that you can help
Mashpee Wampanoag website
correct this injustice. Only passage of H.R. 312 will prevent Interior from disestablishing the Tribe’s reservation.”
This is your chance to GET INVOLVED!!! SERIOUSLY! Donate money and contact your legislators!
1. Like, follow, repost and share your support using this hashtag on social media:
I mean it… Do it right now! Click the links below and like, follow, repost and share!
- Twitter: #StandWithMashpee
- Facebook: #StandWithMashpee
- Instagram: #StandWithMashpee
2. Make Calls to Natural Resource Committee Leadership
SAY: “Please protect the Mashpee Reservation and pass HR 312 The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reaffirmation Act
- Chairman Bishop: (202) 225-0453
- Ranking Member Grijalva: (202) 225-2435
- Congressman Don Young: (202) 225-5765
- Congressman Doug LaMalfa: (202) 225-3076
- Congressman Ruben Gallego: (202) 225-4065
4. Make Calls to the Massachusetts Delegation
SAY: “Please protect the Mashpee Reservation. Demand the passage of HR 312.”
- Congressman Bill Keating: (202) 225-3111 (sponsor of HR 312)
5. Write letters to legilsators.
Download a sample letter here!
Congressman Raul Grijalva
Chairman, House Natural Resources Committee
1324 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Senator John Hoeven, Chairman, Senate Indian Affairs and
Senator Tom Udall, Ranking Member, Senate Indian Affairs Committee
838 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
5. Donate!
from the Mashpee Wampanoaug website:
“This long-drawn-out struggle is now threatening our ability to preserve our history, culture and traditions. The land we rely on is in jeopardy…a vital connection for our Tribal Nation. Our programs including our school, healthcare and elder services are also being threatened by the constant assault on our sovereignty.
Please consider supporting the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the many programs, services and efforts that we’ve undertaken to preserve our way of life.”
