We help facilitate the preservation of the wisdom and harmony inherent in the traditional indigenous worldview, and the healing of Indian communities.
The story of the American Indian Institute is the story of the long, patient endeavors required to build trust and understanding among groups with vastly diverse interests and world views. It is a 40 year story that represents no more than a moment in the ancient history of which it is a part. And, it is a success story among the many stories in the world of failed attempts to draw together people
05/13/2022
Important report detailing US policies of assimilation. May it bring more information and reconciliation actions in future.
Interior Department Releases Indian Boarding School Report The U.S. Department of the Interior today released its initial findings after a nine-month investigation into the fraught legacy of Indian Boarding Schools that the U.S. government ran or supported for a century and a half.
11/03/2021
Sending prayers for everyone at COP26 that we will come together as humans to work for the world.
Tom Goldtooth at COP26: Absolute Carbon Reduction Is “Issue of Life and Death” for Indigenous Peoples Countries attending the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow have made new pledges to cut their emissions, but activists say it’s not enough to avert the worst of the climate crisis. India has vowed to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2070. Over 100 leaders have agreed to end deforestation by ...
10/12/2021
Beautiful poem and thoughts to celebrate Indigenous People's day today. A good day for our country.
In the U.S., Oct. 11, 2021 is the first nation-wide “Indigenous Peoples Day,” as established by Presidential Proclamation. https://tinyurl.com/4x4a9xjb
Poet Joy Harjo speaks powerfully from the indigenous experience in the U.S. A member of the Muscogee Nation, she’s now serving her third term as U.S. Poet Laureate, the first Native American to hold that honor. https://tinyurl.com/2kbha4mp Today’s nation-wide commemoration aims to lift up and honor Native American peoples, cultures, and histories. So here’s a Harjo poem in praise of life...
The day also gives white Americans a chance to reflect on how we live our lives in a nation that was animated by democratic ideals AND by the evil of racist violence that led to genocide and slavery. Idealism and evil are still contending in this land. It’s an open question as to which one will win the next round.
At a time when white supremacist terrorism is our leading domestic threat, a former U.S. president and his enablers continue waging a campaign against the growing power of people of color—and in support of insurrectionists. This is a campaign against democracy itself. Those who wage it want to insure that an excessive share of power and wealth will remain in white hands, no matter the outcome of a democratic election. If that roils your mind and heart as it roils mine, I say good. That’s part of what a day like this is meant to do.
But now, read Harjo’s beautiful poem again. See how a poet who speaks from a history of injustice and suffering is able to transcend despair, mounting up “with wings like eagles” to gain perspective and say “we must take the utmost care/and kindness in all things.”
Those of us who care about democracy and wish to be kind to ALL of “We the People” must say a loud and clear NO to the millions who cling to the Big Lie that the 2020 election was marked by massive fraud. There is zero evidence for their claim because the Big Lie is not driven by facts. It is driven by the selfsame white supremacy that drove genocide against indigenous peoples.
A clear NO to ugly lies is the form caring and kindness must take if truth is ever to set us free. Then and only then we will walk “in beauty, in beauty.”
[“Eagle Poem” from Joy Harjo, “In Mad Love and War.” You can see all of Harjo's books at https://tinyurl.com/yty9bbza.]
10/01/2021
An important day of remembrance for all the lost children.
Every Child Matters 🧡
Orange Shirt Day and what is now called 'The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation' is on September 30, 2021. It’s a day we honor Boarding school survivors and remember the ones that never made it home.
This can be a heavy time with difficult feelings. Hawlii Pichette has created this beautiful coloring page as a free resource for educators, schools and parents of children learning and participating in . A coloring page can be a simple tool to help engage children and it gives them an additional way to show their support as they learn about why Orange Shirt Day is so important.
Download this coloring page for FREE here: https://www.urbaniskwew.com/coloring-pages
09/26/2021
A really important topic that is just now receiving the attention it deserves. So much trauma and loss as a result of these schools.
Lesson of the Day: The Forgotten History of Indigenous Boarding Schools In this lesson, you will learn more about residential schools for Native American children, hear from survivors, and consider the importance of history, memory and justice.
09/24/2021
Really beautiful new ancient footprints being revealed and studied!
Fossil footprints show humans in North America more than 21,000 years ago Fossil footprints show humans in North America more than 21,000 years ago, the earliest firm evidence for humans in the Americas and show people must have arrived here before the last Ice Age.
08/20/2021
Well done Seattle City Council and Councilwoman Juarez!
Seattle City Council Passes Resolution Recognizing Historical Trauma of Indian Boarding Schools SEATTLE – Seattle’s city council passed Resolution 32018 on Monday in support of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative and the Truth and Healing Commission.