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After high-profile moments of cultural appropriation we’re often asked, “Well, what IS okay? How can people respectfully appreciate Native American culture?” While we cannot speak for all Native peoples, here are some general guidelines and questions allies can ask themselves.
Rick Santorum is perpetuating a
#myth
that whitewashes American history & attempts to erase Native peoples.
The contributions of Natives are everywhere. Our land, ways of being & systems of govt were, in fact, so important that they were stolen by the people who arrived here.
We honor Two Spirit, Queer, Transgender and other gender identities that existed way before colonization.
We acknowledge these experiences and voices during
#WomensHistoryMonth
.
@CNNPolitics
says we are “something else”. This is what “something else” looks like.
Native voters with record turnouts in key states and volunteers helping get first-time voters and elders to the polls.
#NativesVote
@CNN
#SomethingElse
🚨BREAKING NEWS: Nearly half a century later, Sacheen Littlefeather will return to the
#Oscars
as an invited guest of honor & for a formal apology from the
@TheAcademy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Despite attempts to erase us, we continue to thrive, speak our languages, practice our religion & preserve our cultures. American history that does not include Natives is a lie & Rick Santorum continues a long history of white supremacy by erasing the history of Native Americans.
We mourn the tragic loss of Nex Benedict (Choctaw), a 16-year-old non-binary high school student who died after being brutally assaulted. This senseless act of violence serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing dangers our 2SLGBTQIA+ relatives face.
#justicefornex
Millions watching the
#Emmys
got to see the co-creator and cast of
@RezDogsFXonHulu
presenting live on CBS Sunday.
Indigenous representation is long overdue in Hollywood. It’s important for wide audiences to see Native talent spotlighted on TV. 📺
#RepresentationMatters
We mourn for the 215 First Nations children that were found buried at the former Kamloops residential school this week. We are heartbroken and stand in solidarity with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation community.
THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE PERMIT IS OFFICIALLY CANCELLED. Today, President Biden rescinded the Keystone XL pipeline permit by executive order, fulfilling one of his campaign promises. We honor the role Native leaders and organizers played in securing this victory.
Happy Birthday to Native Actor Graham Greene (Oneida)! Graham has been representing Native Americans in movie roles for decades, but many of his roles have been non-Native as well. Graham is a great example of the range Indigenous actors can play.
#RepresentationMatters
ICWA protects Native children, and we need to
#ProtectICWA
.
Join our campaign by sharing this artwork by Morningstar Designs and toolkit on Instagram.
For the 1st time in history, a Native American woman will serve in the President’s Cabinet. In its 171 year history and 53 secretaries, the DOI has never been led by a Native American. Now Native peoples will be part of shaping policies, not just advocating from the outside.
What is
#OrangeShirtDay
? Why the color orange? 🧡 Why September 30th?
On Sept. 30, we observe National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School Survivors. This aligns w/ National Day for Truth & Reconciliation that is honored in Canada for residential school survivors. 👇🏽
Taylor Sheridan's recent claim in
@THR
is nothing but a lie.
The Native community & decades of advocacy work are responsible for the passing of
#VAWA
—not a movie that centers a white savior narrative & perpetuates false notions.
#TaylorSheridan
#WhiteSaviorComplex
We’re often asked, “How can people respectfully appreciate Native American culture?” While we cannot speak for all Native peoples, here are some general guidelines and questions allies can ask themselves.
For years, he’s displayed ignorance and bigotry towards communities of color, against the LBGTQ community, and women. This is just another example.
@CNN
giving Rick Santorum a platform to spread his ignorance and racism is a mistake.
#RemoveRick
Yes, the term “Esk*mo” is derogatory.
In being
#GoodRelatives
, we must respect all people when they tell us how they identify & not use outdated, inaccurate, or derogatory terminology. The Indigenous peoples of the Arctic have been clear about rejecting this term.
🧵👇🏾
IT’S OFFICIAL: There are no more Washington R*dsk*ns. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
#Native
peoples let's celebrate- but we still have work to do, we can't stop until all Native mascots are eliminated ✊
#TheTimeIsHere
#ChangedTheName
“Schools have historically been used as a tool to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children,” writes the
@ACLU
. “This history makes Tribal regalia a source of empowerment for Indigenous students as they reclaim their identity and honor their ancestors.”
Today on National Day of Awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls we wear red to honor and remember
#MMIP
relatives. We wear red to bring awareness to this ongoing crisis and we ask that you amplify the need for
#MMIWGActionNow
.
At first glance, it’s a classic scene from the heyday of Hollywood’s golden era on the set of
#BritishVogue
’s October 2023 cover shoot, with two glamorous movie stars gliding across a dressing room. He, however, is
@LeoDiCaprio
– rarely interviewed – and she is
@Lily_Gladstone
,…
Deb Haaland is who the Dept of the Interior needs to protect our future. The DOI's programs affect millions of Native Americans.
No one is more ready to lead the Interior & reset the relationship between the fed. govt & tribal nations than
@RepDebHaaland
!
#DebForInterior
Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapii/Nimíipuu) cements her legacy as the first Native American woman nominated for an
#Oscar
for Best Actress.
Join us in celebrating this historic nomination! Congratulations,
@lily_gladstone
!
#KillersOfTheFlowerMoon
#OsageNation
@DebHaalandNM
MAKES HISTORY as the first Native American to be nominated to lead
@Interior
and serve in a cabinet position. This is an opportunity to change the relationship the US government has with Native peoples.
“I want to dedicate this to all the indigenous kids in the world who want to do art and dance, and write stories,” he said during his acceptance speech. “We are the original storytellers, and we make it here as well. Thank you.”
#RepresentationMatters
#IllumiNative
On this day, 1 yr after
#GeorgeFloyd
was murdered we’re thinking of him & the 181 Black people who have been killed by the police since his death last year, according to Mapping Police Violence. We must continue to fight against this institutional racism.
#BlackLivesMatter
We are horrified by these racist comments about Native Americans.
These statements are incredibly harmful, and fuel racism & hate.
@FoxNews
must immediately correct these statements on air.
@RCamposDuffy
,
@JesseBWatters
&
@SeanDuffyWI
must apologize to the Native community.
Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy asserted on Wednesday night that Native Americans’ struggles have “everything to do with government dependency” and “alcoholism.”
Lily Gladstone gave an impactful speech as the first Indigenous person to win the Golden Globe for best actress in a motion picture drama.
Lily acknowledged the importance of Native representation in film and recognized the Native actors who have paved the way for her.🏆
New Mexico
@RepDebHaaland
, is a frontrunner for Secretary of the Interior. For most of our history, sadly, it would have been an outlandish idea; now it feels absolutely necessary.
Native representation in TV and film is less than .04% yet research has shown that 78% of Americans want to learn more about Native peoples and think it’s important for Native stories to be featured in TV, film and other media and entertainment.
JOIN US IN HOLDING
@CNN
ACCOUNTABLE
Sign the petition to call on CNN to fire Rick Santorum and increase Native representation in their news coverage and analysis.
#RemoveRick
⬇️
Congratulations to the cast & crew of
#Prey
for their six
#Emmy
nominations! This is only the 2nd ever Native-led film nominated for an Emmy.
This is a major milestone for
#NativeRepresentation
& demonstrates what can be achieved when projects lead and center Native peoples.
The Super Bowl is in full swing—along with the racist imagery and gestures used by the
@chiefs
and their fans that defames Native cultures and negatively impacts Native peoples, especially our youth.
Sign the petition & tell the
@nfl
to
#ChangeTheName
at the link in our bio.
August 9th marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. A day to honor our unique cultures, communities, & heritage that have been a part of this world since time immemorial.
It is our right to be proud of who we are and where we come from—we are still here!
As we prepare to celebrate the
#SpringEquinox
, let’s take time to care for ourselves, for our relatives, for our communities and for the land. Art by Emily Kewageshig (Anishinaabe)
#NativeArtist
#NativeCreative
It’s officially
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth
and we are jamming to our relatives' songs all month long! 🎵
Listen to these incredible Native musicians 🎧 on our
@Spotify
playlist. ⬇️
We honor our 2-Spirit relatives & their resilience and teaching of love and acceptance. We see you and we deeply value you. Thank you for all you bring to our lives by demonstrating the full spectrum of loving relationships and what a true partnership can be.
#Honoring2SpiritDay
Finally,
@CNN
has taken the correct action to
#RemoveRick
after his racist comments that whitewashed history and Native American’s contributions to US society. News organizations must take quick and decisive action to combat racism and white supremacy.
YES, THE CHIEFS ARE OFFENSIVE. Harold Roe Bartle, a white man & mayor of KC, claimed that he was inducted into a local tribe and would wear a Native headdress. He started a Boy Scout-affiliated org called Mic-O-Say that uses Native ceremonies, customs, regalia, and imagery.
📣 A NATIVE WOMAN IS ON THE COVER OF BRITISH VOGUE 📣
In the latest issue of
#BritishVogue
@lily_gladstone
(Siksikaitsitapii /Nimíipuu) declares "My life’s never gonna be the same again" as she prepares for the world to see her tribute to the late Mollie Burkhart (Osage) (1/4)
A new Bureau of Indian Affairs unit has been launched by Interior
@SecDebHaaland
in an effort to provide more resources to investigate thousands of unsolved cases of missing and murdered Native Americans.
#MMIW
#MMIGW2S
In 2020, we are making history!
@KamalaHarris
, a woman of color, will serve as VP of the US. There is a mandate for change that the Native vote helped to power alongside all of our relatives who worked for change. Together, the people have chosen
#NativesVote2020
art:
@BunkHaus
The Native comedy "Reservation Dogs" set in Oklahoma, is casting for multiple roles in 3 additional episodes, to be filmed in the Tulsa area.
"Reservation Dogs" is the new series from
@TaikaWaititi
, & Tulsa filmmaker Sterlin Harjo (Seminole / Creek).
This is a pivotal moment for Tribal Nations. The Supreme Court showed today it is willing to cave in the face of a social media campaign launched in order to erode Tribal sovereignty.
#SCOTUS
has handed over unprecedented power to states. This is just the beginning.
We know...there are many terms. We applaud actor Devery Jacobs (Kanien’kehá:ka) for her gentle call in to explain what terms are appropriate to use when talking about or to Indigenous peoples.
📹Clip from
@THR
Comedy Actress Roundtable
#IndigenousRepresentation
#THRRoundtable
On
#InternationalWomensDay
we want to honor all the Native women leaders who have broken down barriers for Indigenous peoples. These trailblazers captivate audiences with their humor, have made crucial victories in representation, and have built power for our communities.
This Indigenous People's Day we celebrate and honor all who embody Native Power.
🎨 by EJ Miller-Larson (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Oneida Nation of Wisconsin).
#NativePower
#IndigenousPeoplesDay
#IDP2023
Today we celebrate our Afro-Indigenous relative Eartha Kitt, a singer, actor, dancer, voice actress, comedian, activist, author, and songwriter known for her highly distinctive singing style. Her mother, Annie Mae Keith, was of Cherokee and African descent.
“Vote like your life depends on it—because it does. Vote to protect our planet. Vote to ensure our treaty rights are recognized. Vote to protect the safety of Indigenous and all women and girls. Vote for our future.” -
@RepDebHaaland
#NativesVote
For the Osage people,
#KillersOfTheFlowerMoon
isn’t a movie—it’s their relatives, their culture, their history.
See how it felt working on the
#Oscar
nominated film, watching the film, and what they want next for
#NativeRepresentation
.
In North Carolina these billboards are up across the state showing Eastern Band Cherokee elders Bernice and Rick Bottchenbaugh. They are first-time voters in this election and they want to inspire others to
#Vote
.
#NativesVote
Our stories have been inaccurate within the media for far too long, & we applaud those who are working together to change the narrative. Authentic representation of Native peoples is made BY Native peoples FOR Native peoples.
#NativeRepresentation
#NativeCreatives
Native peoples were the first here and the last to gain the right to vote.
#NativesVote
and we impacted outcomes in AZ, WI, NV, etc. Our voice and our power is critical. Don’t forget- we’re strong, we’re resilient, and we’re funny. ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽
#Election2020
#RutherfordFalls
has garnered a lot of attention for being the first comedy to have a Native American management and creative control, a position in the industry known as showrunners.
The countdown is on! Just a few more days until
@RezDogsFXonHulu
debuts on
@hulu
!
@RollingStone
just gave it a rave review!
All the lead actors, directors & writers on the new show are Native American making this series a breakthrough in television.
This
#FathersDay
, we uplift the Indigenous guardians who embrace their children, defying colonial & societal norms so every child, no matter their identity, is cherished, loved & accepted.
May your love guide generations to come. 🌈💙
Art: Jackie Fawn (Yurok/Washoe/Filipino)
We stand in solidarity with our Indigenous relatives around the world who are protecting their rights, ancestral lands & way of life.
Indigenous people are coming together to preserve land from resource extraction &
#ProtectSacredPlaces
#IndigenousPeoplesDay
Rep. Deb Haaland, Biden’s pick for interior secretary, would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary if confirmed by the Senate.
“I’ll be fierce for all of us, for our planet and all of our protected land,” she says.
It was only natural that
#LilyGladstone
’s red carpet look for the
#Oscars
tonight paid tribute to her Indigenous community. Her custom collaboration look is designed by
@Gucci
's creative director Sabato De Sarno and Indigenous artist Joe Big Mountain.
A new documentary film, Say Her Name, reveals “an epicenter of MMIWG cases” in Bighorn County, Montana which includes parts of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations.
#MMIWG
#NoMoreStolenSisters
Today, we remember and honor our relatives who lost their lives in the Wounded Knee Massacre on this day in 1890. Last month, 150 items with some related to the massacre, were returned to peoples of the Cheyenne River Sioux and Oglala Sioux Tribes.
With
#SCOTUS
set to make a decision on the Indian Child Welfare Act,
@kdeveryjacobs
(Kanien'kehá:ka), Sarah Podemski (Anishinaabe/Ashkenazi) and
@janaunplgd
(Cheyenne River Lakota), explain the fight to
#ProtectICWA
. Stand with us at
Deb Haaland is sworn in as Interior Secretary. She is the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history.
“History is being made yet again.” — VP Kamala Harris
False representations of US history that erases Native Americans and our contributions harms our communities. This whitewashed narrative, like the one embraced by
@cnn
senior political contributor
@ricksantorum
, has been used to justify voter suppression laws.
.
@allieyoung13
writes that despite the Arizona GOP’s efforts to curtail voting rights, she will continue to campaign against this harmful legislation, partnering with other underrepresented groups to ensure everyone has access to the ballot box.
Barbara Teller Ornelas (Diné) wowed at last month's Santa Fe Indian Market with her Three Sisters Navajo Barbies, a tribute to the 1997 Native American Barbie. Beautifully reflecting her Navajo heritage & coinciding with the release of the recent
#Barbiemovie
!
#SWAIA
.
@RepDebHaaland
begins her speech acknowledging the role of the
@Interior
played in the attempted genocide of
#Native
peoples, and how her standing as nominee is evidence of our resilience and that she "stands on the shoulders of our ancestors."
#DebForInterior
With heavy hearts we bid farewell to N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa), who was the first Native American writer to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
Rest in Power, N. Scott Momaday. May your literary light illuminate the path for future storytellers and inspire many generations to come.
We want to thank
@lizzo
for using her platform at the People's Choice Awards to amplify our work, recognize our founder and Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk, and the many other inspiring activists!
@peopleschoice
#NativeRepresentation