Global Force for Healing is proud to partner with several indigenous communities in Ecuador, Mexico, India, and Nepal (www.globalforceforhealing.org/ournetwork).
Women are often on the frontlines of protecting forests and their traditional homelands from extraction of oil and minerals like the Achuar women in the above photo. Ikiami Nukuri, our community partner in the Ecuadorian Amazon means "Women as Keepers of the Forest". This sacred work is crucial for survival of their communities and of the planet for us all. To learn more: http://www.pachamama.org/advocacy/jungle-mamas.
Meanwhile, in the United States…
Did you know the US government has seized 1.5 billion acres from America’s indigenous people, a history of genocide and cultural appropriation? October 8, 2018 was Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to acknowledge this history, make amends, and honor the native land of 567 indigenous nations in the US, and countless indigenous peoples around the world.
There is much to be done to right these wrongs and be a good ally. What will you do?
One place to start is by educating ourselves about the history of colonization and broken treaties in the US. Another is to support Native-led organizations like Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, the largest supporter of indigenous projects in the US with a 40 year history (www.7genfund.org). Tagline: "Be a Good Ancestor."
One of their programs is Thriving Women's Initiative, which sponsors projects that nurture and support the health and vitality of Indigenous women, girls, and families.
The Initiative supports native women-led work that nurtures life, breaks down gender oppression, responds to and prevents violence, and recognizes that reproductive health is connected to the vitality of Mother Earth.
The kinds of projects Thriving Women's Initiative funds:
Work that supports traditional birthing and midwifery practices; restoring traditional herbal medicines; cultural food systems; revitalizing intergenerational wisdom exchanges; coming of age ceremonies; and Native women generated approaches to empowerment, healing and traditional practices. Responses and remedies to the violation of inherent power of Indigenous women from sexualized violence are highly encouraged. Thriving Women’s Initiative explores work that builds the identity and expresses the deep rooted strength of Indigenous women.
Information courtesy of 7th Generation Fund website and Amanda Coslor.