Greenpeace USA, 350 PDX and other co-sponsors are honored to present Idle No More Washington’s Decolonizing Our Activism Workshop with Sweetwater Nannauck. All are welcomed to attend this life-changing training which incorporates traditional Native American teachings through stories, exercises, and discussions that are even more relevant and needed today. We are all hurt by systems of colonization.
We will offer some suggestions on how to be a good ally and form partnerships with the traditional stewards of this land. ‘Decolonizing Our Activism workshops are conducted in a respectful way that is both healing and empowering. Together we can do this vital liberation work.
WHAT: Decolonizing Our Activism Workshop
WHEN: Saturday, October 28, 2017, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
WHERE: NAYA 5135 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97218
WHO: Volunteers, supporters, first timers, family, & friends. Lunch and snacks (vegan and gluten sensitive) are included.
RSVP: http://bit.ly/2hRmMgf
The objectives for these workshops include:
* Educate non-Native allies how to work with Native Americans and communities of color
* Authentic alliance building that reflects indigenous-led organizing, strategies, and values
* Prepare participants for volunteer opportunities at Native community events
* How to support Native activism rather than perpetuating colonial systems of oppression
* Honor indigenous traditions without appropriating their cultures
Co-sponsors: Greenpeace USA, 350PDX, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Oregon Peace Institute, Portland Peace Team, Columbia Riverkeeper, Climate Solutions, Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, Marilyn Buck Abolitionist Collective (MBAC)
More about Idle No More and the concepts covered in the workshop
Idle No More ~ History of Colonization and Healing Historical Trauma
The workshop shows the 500 years of indigenous resistance that began in 1452 from a Native American perspective. Incorporating traditional teachings and stories, and how the Doctrine of Discovery was the foundation for the historical colonization, genocide, relocation, termination, forced assimilation of Native Americans.
To heal from the historical trauma, you must first understand how colonization has impacted indigenous people. By acknowledging our collective past and focusing on the present healing often leads participants to become aware of historical barriers that can be removed effectively in a safe and comfortable environment.
Idle No More ~ Spiritual Activism
This workshop delves into the Native’s connection with the land, environment, and Spirit. Explore how to incorporate ‘Spirit’ into our activism. Discuss how to start organizing nonviolent direct actions that are Spirit-led instead of ego/mind-led.
Idle No More ~ The 7th Fire
Explore how working with Natives toward common goals of social and environmental justice involves letting go of unconscious racism and privilege. Learn what it means to be a good ally, and how taking the lead from indigenous activists, and community leaders have been changing conventional activism. Learn what Native-led organizing looks like, and stand in solidarity with Natives to ensure our rights to clean air, water, and protection of Mother Earth for us and future generations.
Idle No More ~ Beyond Standing Rock
Highlighting the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), and the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s right to protect their sacred water, ancestral lands, burial grounds, traditional way of life, community, and treaty rights. We will focus on colonization and decolonization, and learn how to integrate the tradition-based healing and knowledge into your activism from a Native American perspective.
Workshop Presenter:
Sweetwater Nannauck (Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian)
Director of Idle No More Washington
Sweetwater is an Idle No More activist who advocates for the protection of the fragile environment of the Northwest Coast, for tribal sovereignty rights, and the traditional way of life of Native people. She conducts Idle No More ‘Decolonizing Our Activism’ workshops in a respectful way that is both healing and empowering.
November 10, 2017, is the 5th anniversary of Idle No More. Since then Idle No More Washington has had over 60 events and nonviolent direct actions that address local and global issues. Sweetwater went to Washington, DC to lobby to protect the Arctic; she was involved in the ‘Shell No’ actions in Seattle and Anchorage when President Obama was there. Seattle Weekly features Sweetwater in the annual Seattle Weekly ‘Best of Seattle’ (2015) ‘Best Activism Idea.’
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2hRmMgf.
