Lyla June: You Are Indigenous

From the respected and insightful teacher Lyla June, posted originally on Facebook Feb. 9, 2021:

So if people aren't full-blooded with brown skin and a government card saying they are native... then they are "pretend-ians"?

If that's your criteria, then you have probably erased over half of those of us who are left from attempted genocide! This doxxing campaign is genocide at its finest and I pray for those who are doing it. I pray they can see this is not the traditional way. To be judgemental, confrontational, vindictive, dishonest and harsh about people who are fighting to hang on to their identities as it is. Our ancestors were gentle, non confrontational, humble and honest. That is what makes you a "real Indian."

I stand beside all the multitudes of Indigenous Peoples who are mixed race. You are Indigenous.

Who maybe are Black Natives because ebony and mahogany ancestors intermarried as they witnessed each other's beauty. You are Indigenous.

Who only have oral history of their Indigenous ancestry because the government erased our people and terminated our tribal statuses long, long ago. You are Indigenous.

Who fight every day for the people because even if they don't "look native," they are native and will go to the mat for our cultures and people. You are Indigenous.

Who might not be brown but they sure as hell are down because they have ancestors to honor. You are Indigenous.

Who have a hard enough time claiming who they are because colonization has destroyed our languages and identities. You are Indigenous.

Who are working hard every day to be proud of who they are in a world that has called us inferior for 500 years. You are Indigenous.

Keep claiming who you are, relatives. There are so many of us who stand beside and behind you as our lost relatives continue to inhibit our continuation as a people. Keep claiming who you are. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Because the day we forget, is the day the genocide is complete. You are Indigenous.