Gratitude for Indigenous People 22 11/24/2022

Thank you for being a part of our community that is deeply committed to justice and creating a better future for all.

350 Bay Area’s vision is that all who live in the Bay Area equitably share clean air, water and soil in a safe, healthy, and thriving post-carbon future, benefiting all life. We recognize that the climate crisis is the justice issue of our times, magnifying the accumulation of past injustices: racial, economic and environmental. 

We invite you, our community, to reflect and engage with this fantastic toolkit on Rethinking Thanksgiving.

Dignidad Rebelde / Artist: Melanie Cervantes

This past year has been filled with an emboldening of white supremacy. At the same time, more and more people are working to create something different. We cannot expect that justice will ever come if we are not willing to face the injustices of our past and present. Holidays can be a time to connect and talk about these realities and touch people’s hearts in profound ways. This can be fertile ground for lasting change. – Indigenous Solidarity Network

As climate activists it is important to contextualize the climate crisis as rooted in colonialism. We occupy stolen land, which stealing resulted in genocide. And that land was tilled by enslaved people. The climate crisis perpetuates this process of stealing land and lives, not surprisingly from the same groups of people.

Together we can confront the narrative that white-washes our history. We must do the difficult work inside ourselves – we really can’t recommend this toolkit enough! And we must also continue learning from Indigenous leaders and racial justice allies.

Check out these groups:

Idle No More is a group of Native Americans and allies working together to create positive change concerning Indigenous rights, the rights of Mother Earth, and the rights of the coming generations to a sustainable and healthy environment. Follow @IdleNoMore4

SURJ Bay Area is part of a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice. There are over 150 chapters and affiliates nationwide. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice, with passion and accountability. Follow @SURJBayArea

Indigenous Environmental Network IEN’s activities include building the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to develop mechanisms to protect our sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources, health of both our people and all living things, and to build economically sustainable communities. Follow @IENEarth

TOGETHER Bay Area is a regional coalition of nonprofits, public agencies, and Indigenous Tribes working together for climate resilient lands – including lands that are natural, working, rural, and urban. Follow @TogetherBayArea

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust cultivates rematriation. Sogorea Te’ calls on us all to heal and transform the legacies of colonization, genocide, and patriarchy and to do the work our ancestors and future generations are calling us to do.

In Our Power Podcast by NDN Collective is a podcast about Climate Justice, Self Determination and Regenerative Economies, where we highlight Indigenous led solutions at the forefront of the climate crisis.

Also see what these Indigenous leaders and thinkers have to say! @WinonaLaDuke, @repdebhaaland, @repdavids, @jnoisecat, @CrystalEchoHawk, @SimonMoyaSmith, and @apihtawikosisan.

Honoring Joye Braun

We want to honor the life of our People vs. Fossil Fuels comrade, Joye Braun, who has left us too soon. She was an incredible person and an inspiration for all of us who were lucky to have our lives and work touched by her passion and joy. We want to lift up the message from the coordinators of the coalition regarding this loss: “It’s with deep sadness that we share the news that our comrade Joye Braun passed away last week. Joye, also known as Wambli Wiyan Ka’win (Eagle Feather Woman), was a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Nation. As the National Pipeline organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network she was an irreplaceable leader in the People Vs Fossil Fuels Coalition, fiercely committed to our shared vision and work together, and a proud voice for her people as a grassroots advocate for climate justice.” – Dallas Goldtooth & Ben Goloff, PvFF.  Condolences can be sent here and you can read more, and donate to IEN, here.