NASW-Michigan Honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Today, October 14, marks Indigenous Peoples' Day. Today especially we recognize, honor, and celebrate the culture and traditions of Indigenous Peoples as well as the resiliency, sovereignty, and contributions of tribal communities in Michigan and the world. For those who are not indigenous to the land you occupy, it is important to use today to learn and stand in solidarity. On Indigenous Peoples' Day, NASW confronts the whitewashed history that glorifies colonization and violence against Indigenous communities. Indigenous people, Native Americans, and Tribal Nations continue to face high rates of discrimination and oppression. As social workers, we must advocate for equity and justice. 

If you are not indigenous to the land you occupy, we encourage you to learn about the land you live on, the people who cultivated the land for hundreds of years before colonization, where those people are now and how you can support their present-day tribes, and how you can stand in solidarity with indigenous people currently living in Michigan. Here are some suggestions for where to begin:

Take Action:

• Find whose land you are on

• Learn of Michigan’s Federally Recognized Indigenous Tribes

  • We strongly encourage those who are able to donate to the tribes above as a micro form of reparations for the land you occupy

• Support and stand in solidarity by donating to the following non-profit organizations:

  • https://www.nativejustice.org/donate

  • https://www.michiganindianelders.org/donate.php

  • https://amerinserv.org/help-donate/

Events:

• Events in Michigan

• Events scheduled for Indigenous People's Day in northern Michigan

• Those looking to visit a Native American history center or museum on Monday can consider the following:

  • Museum of Ojibwa Culture - St. Ignace

  • Drummond Island Historical Museum - Drummond Island

  • Mackinac Island Native American Museum - Mackinac Island

  • Ojibwe Learning Center and Library - Sault Ste. Marie

  • Andrew Blackbird Museum - Harbor Springs

  • Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways - Mt. Pleasant

NASW-Michigan Events:

1. Region 5 Presents: Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, & Social Justice in SW (Virtual) - 1 Implicit Bias CE

Friday, October 18 from 12-1PM | FREE | Register

2. Region 5 Presents: The Decolonizing Social Work Book Club

The Decolonizing Social Work Book Club will meet virtually on the 3rd Wednesday of each month starting in September 2024 and concluding in June 2025. 1 CE Credit is available for licensed attendees per session. Presented by Chris Fike, Region 5 Representative on the NASW-MI Board of Directors.

Decolonization in social work is the undoing of hegemony, the latter being the process whereby white supremacist values impregnated foundational social work theories, research, and practices. In recognizing that white supremacy is a mechanism of social control, that our current social structure is grounded in liberal-patriarchal capitalism, and that social work confirms to prevailing social norms, we, as social workers, must acknowledge our complicity in perpetuating a white supremacist ideology (Crudup, Fike, & McLoone, 2021; Pewewardy & Almeida, 2014). One strategy for disrupting white supremacy in social work is to develop a counter-narrative (Crudup, et al., 2021; Pewewardy & Almeida, 2014), a history that details the experiences of perspectives of those who have been oppressed, excluded, and silenced.

The voices highlighted in this book club offer counter-narrative perspectives across a range of issues and topics immediately relevant to social work. Find upcoming titles, meeting dates and registration links: nasw-michigan.org/news/681446

Indigenous Activists & Movements to Know:

• LANDBACK - Building Lasting Indigenous Sovereignty
• How Returning Lands to Native Tribes Is Helping Protect Nature
• Abolishing Racist Native Mascots: A Toolkit for Change
• Take Action to Revoke the Federal Holiday Status of Columbus Day
• Meet 13 Indigenous Young Indigenous Rights Activists
• 7 YOUNG INDIGENOUS ACTIVISTS STANDING UP FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES
• 5 Indigenous Activists & Movements You Should Know About
• 7 Indigenous Activists You Should Know
• Native American Activism: 1960s to Present