Word of the Year: re-Indigenize

Cody and I have been researching our ancestry within the last year. So far we have recorded 9+ generations of ancestors. The earliest, dating back to 1661. That is over 360 years! While it’s exciting to trace whom we descend from, it is even more amazing to have proof of family members who were just a distant story. In focusing on my mother’s family, I have been able to connect with a specific tribal community in South Carolina. 

In regards to connecting, I’ve often thought of what work can be done on my end to learn the ways of my mother’s people. When I searched for the answer the word “decolonize” kept popping up. Something in me didn’t feel comfortable using that verbiage since it focuses on colonization as the center for change. Colonizers imposed themselves on Indigenous populations all over the world and while that holds so much trauma to unpack, I’d rather put the focus on introducing southeastern Indigenous ways into our current lifestyle.

2022 is going to be about community, honesty and respect. We are going to focus on being intentional with our actions with regards to the generations that will come after us. We will learn how to properly acknowledge the lands we live on and visit. And hopefully, we can participate in local gatherings that instill these messages. The key to re-Indigenization is to bring to the forefront systems that value the diversity and relationships of people and Mother Earth. 

My main hope for my family is to achieve regularity beyond gestures of tokenism regarding recognition or involvement in order to change practices and structures to which we have come accustomed. Here are three steps we will follow to actively engage in re-indigenizing our current lifestyle.

1. Value Indigenous knowledge. This does not have to be specific to the ‘Americas’ as I have used traditional Nigerian birthing practices along with ancestral birthing teas to have two non-medicated births.
2. Encourage/Insist on teaching about Indigenous culture in educational environments. I am personally still learning myself, yet I have no problem speaking up and affirming my beliefs.
3. Support restitution efforts. One way to show our support is by monetary donation. Every organization needs MONEY. Land Back efforts and programs geared to revitalization of Indigenous languages/cultures are just two I’d like to highlight.