Niagara Falls, Niagara, NY, Friday July 2, at the start of my drive to Alaska
A HUMAN ISSUE | 7.3.21
You might be wondering why my journey from Santa Fe to Fairbanks has involved starting in Boston with a pit stop at Niagara Falls. First of all, it's as dizzying as it sounds. Secondly, in solidarity with my travel companion based on the East Coast, it was the least I could do to ensure that we were in this
long haul together.
Our trajectory had us breeze right past Niagara Falls. After many dashed opportunities to see this natural wonder, this time, I couldn't pass it up. And I'm so glad I didn't. The view was a symbolic one to mark a worrisome week of weather warnings. It aptly set the tone for the reason why I'm heading up North:
to cover the climate crisis.
I have to say, standing on that observation deck at Niagara, the ancestral lands of the Mohawk, and overlooking the sheer force of nature and its largely preserved beauty - it all seemed incredibly fitting. Niagara Falls is an example of what is possible when we think compassionately about the impact we, as humans, have on the
land.
The way state park officials tell it, early environmentalists founded a Free Niagara movement in the 1860s after mills and factories started to sprout up along the river. They were concerned about the impacts of exploiting the waterway for
commercial interests - and they were right. It's one of the rare moments in American history when nature overpowered industrialization.
Of course, Indigenous Peoples all along the eastern seaboard couldn't sound the alarms more clearly such as when Penobscot Chief Attean Elmut pleaded with treaty negotiators in Boston in 1796 to slow colonization along the Penobscot River.
He explained to them that settler-made dams were depleting the tribe's treaty-protected sustenance fish runs and ultimately killed himself after his
insistent pleas were repeatedly ignored. Today, the equivalent is locking one's Indigenous self to pipeline construction equipment in an effort to shut down energy projects like Enbridge's Line 3. The message is still
the same: protecting the land is not a Native issue; it's a human issue.
This week was a warning as American's find their footing in a waning pandemic - a "get back to normal" tenacity that is becoming apparently unacceptable. From the gobsmacking heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, the wildfires that have now ensued, a random tornado warning in Washington DC, and on and on. The hopeful sign is that media outlets like this one in Colorado are starting to up their game in how they cover the climate crisis.
Here's a few ways to not feel so lost in all of this chaos:
And as your pondering, livestream the Brown Bears of Katmai Nat'l Park
Ditch your car. Ride a bike. (I'm selling my vintage Raleigh by the way)
Hat tip to my good friend, Katie, by the way, for that link to the bears 🐻 And a big shout-out to Igor Limansky of Utah for winning the Pueblo Pottery Giveaway! I've got some ideas for my next gift once I get settled in at Fairbanks.
Number of jurisdictions across 34 countries declaring similar emergencies prior to the US: 1990
Total length in feet of a totem pole made by Lummi Nation carvers on its way to DC: 24
ENDORSEMENT
People lay their hands on a 24-foot totem pole to offer blessings Thursday at Shoshone Falls. The 5,000-pound totem pole was carved from a single Western red cedar. PAT SUTPHIN, TIMES-NEWS
I'll admit, I'm a hard sell when it comes to organizing and activism in Indian Country - but the Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey is just too good to ignore. Have you been following this trek across Indian Country? The official trip kicks-off late next week, but the House of Tears
Carvers from Lummi Nation in Washington State can't seem to hold back. They carved an ancient tree into a 5,000 lb. totem pole in honor of protecting sacred landscapes and are letting so many people take part. Here's how:
+ Head to their website and see if the totem pole is passing through a rez near you
+ Sign one of their many Actions to protect Indigenous lands
+ Follow along on Facebook and show and share your support
FEEDBACK
“Safe travels to Alaska."
Julianna, Texas
There's been a steady stream of well-wishes since I unveiled my plans to head up north. Always so touched to hear from you and knowing that what I'm sending out is being received on your end. Thank you, sister Julianna for the warm note - and to all of you who were so kind to chime in.
And many thanks to those of you who contributed to my virtual tip jar, last week. You guys are awesome. Dawaa'e. ✨
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The Indigenously newsletter is produced by Jenni Monet (Laguna Pueblo)