Looking back on the past couple years through the Covid pandemic, and as we slowly work our way back into our communities, we’ve had time to reflect on the connections we’ve made and the collective hope we have for our future. While climate justice, Mother Earth, and equity have always been at the core of our work, it’s become apparent through our relationships and conversations this summer that our communities, gen Z, and millenial generations are preparing for a new reality amidst climate chaos that has taken a drastic turn in short time. For those of us working in this space, advocating for our planet, and for those experiencing first hand the affects of climate chaos, we can feel the urgency to take action now so that our next generations don’t take on the burden created by a greedy few. From major flood events happening across the globe, oil pipelines built through ancestral and sacred lands, extreme drought, record breaking temperatures and exploitative resource extraction, the people are feeling the pressure and desperate for change. Through these uncertain times we realize we must remain connected to that which matters most; our traditions, our spirit, our lands, our families and communities. To break the monotony and recenter in our work, we wanted to take time for wellness and offer up some tips on how to stay connected through it all.

We recognize and honor the diversity that exists in communities across Turtle Island, the ceremonies, language, dance, songs, and the things that bring us together. To be Indigenous is to know that we are all connected. That our actions here have an impact on others. That Mother Earth ties us all together and taking care of her is taking care of ourselves. If you’re looking for ways you can stay on a path of wellness, we encourage you to reflect and reconnect. Stay fully hydrated, make time for ceremony and prayer, and unplug from daily distractions once in a while. Make time to enjoy the outdoors, go hiking, take your shoes off and ground yourself by feeling the Earth beneath your feet. Make time for friends, family, and community, and include them on your path of wellness. Smudge yourself, the space around you, and encourage others to participate in their own way. Take time for your traditional languages and find ways to use them daily. Connect or reconnect with your traditional and ancestral foods, pick berries, dig roots, and use these foods as often as you can. Find and/or grow traditional medicines that help you on your continued path of healing. Listen to music that moves you, dance for yourself, for our ancestors, for those who can dance no longer, and dance in the way the ancestors guide you. Pray out loud or quietly in your own head for yourself and others. Do one or all of these things when you can, and with the knowledge that we do these things with the guidance of our ancestors before us. Know that there is no right or wrong way as long as you stay on a path of healing for yourself and others.

Creator, we ask that you look after and take care of all the people. We ask that you bring healing to those suffering loss or grief. We ask, Creator, that you lift the heavy burdens that the people are facing here and around the world, so that they may find peace in their hearts and minds. We ask that you fill their spirits with love, light, and hope. That their lives are filled with abundance to take care of themselves and their loved ones. Creator we ask that you provide shelter and warmth for the homeless, food and sustenance for the hungry, and good health for the sick. We ask that you provide continued strength for those on the frontlines, so that they may continue in their work to help bring peace and equity for those without. Creator we thank you for all you give, the breath in our lungs, and the ability to fight another day for all that is right. Creator, we ask in a good way…

Indigenous Peoples Power Project