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Jessica Liebich
Second Year Genetics, German, and Health Promotion Major Jal20311@uga.edu How I got involved with IMPACT: Before I even got to UGA, I heard amazing things about IMPACT. A friend of mine was very involved with IMPACT and told me all about the organization when I was touring UGA. I was so excited to go on a trip, and it did not disappoint! I went on the Spring Break Community Health and Wellbeing trip in Indianapolis, and I absolutely loved learning about our social justice issues and becoming close friends with people who shared my interests. The trip taught me how sustainable change can be made and inspired me to live a life based on service. Why American Indian Cultural Awareness and Advocacy: Recent current events such as the Dakota Access Pipeline and changes in the AP United States History curriculum have drawn attention to American Indian Rights, but there are many social justice issues surrounding American Indians that lots of people aren’t aware of. These American Indian social justice issues such as access to education and healthcare, affordable housing, and food security are important for us to start a dialogue about. Fun Fact: I am always up to date on Broadway news and love musicals! |
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Taha Rahmatullah
Fourth Year Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major tjr50772@uga.edu How I got involved with IMPACT: Freshman year, I went on my first IMPACT trip in Charlotte, NC for Education Advocacy. Originally knowing nothing about the problems faced in improving our education system, I came back with a desire to challenge social issues in my own community. I love IMPACT because it has ignited my love for social justice and provided me a way to share my love through service. Why American Indian Cultural Awareness and Advocacy: Many people are still not aware of the discrimination that American Indians and other indigenous groups face. Recent events have brought issues involving American Indian awareness to mainstream media but there is still a lot of work to be done! Fun Fact: I am a member of the UGA Redcoat Marching Band! Go Nets! |
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About American Indian Cultural Awareness and Advocacy (AICAA)
Key Terms
American Indian:
American Indians are people indigenous to America who are part of a tribe or community. Over 3 million people in the US are of American Indian or Native American origin.
Cultural Appropriation:
Cultural Appropriation is when “members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group”. It contributes to stereotypes and takes the power away from less dominant groups to create and express their own traditions.
Source: https://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/cultural-appropriation-wrong/
Cultural Advocacy:
Cultural advocacy and awareness entails an understanding and respect for the traditions, religions, customs, and languages of a certain group. When thinking about American Indian cultural advocacy it is important to remember that there are over 500 federally recognized tribes that each have a unique culture and history.
Native or Indian?:
American Indian, Native American, and Indigenous Americans are terms that refer to the same groups of peoples. However, each tribe has their own preferred term. The Lumbee Tribe has shared in the past that they prefer to be referred to as American Indian.
Facts about AICAA
Over 55,000 members comprise the Lumbee tribe who primarily reside in Robeson County, North Carolina. The Lumbee is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth largest in the US. They have been recognized by the state of North Carolina since 1885, but the tribe itself was believed to be established in 1750. The Lumbee Act was passed in 1956 which recognized the tribe but still denied tribe status as a federally recognized tribe. Because they are not federally recognized, the Lumbee Tribe is not entitled to the same benefits that other tribes are such a disaster relief funds, sovereignty, and land benefits. One of the reasons that the Lumbee Tribe has not been federally recognized is that their heritage is mixed, so some officials have cited that as a reason to not grant them federal recognition.
Source: http://www.lumbeetribe.com/history--culture
http://www.wfae.org/post/reporter-explores-lumbee-identity-history-tribe-fights-federal-recognition#stream/0
AICAA in Athens and Georgia
Native American Culture is ingrained into the history of Georgia. The Lumbee Tribe specifically has roots in Georgia. In 1890, many Lumbee Indians migrated to Bulloch County, Georgia. They experienced much discrimination and segregation due to the Jim Crow Laws that were in place during the time. The oppression in Bulloch County was so severe that the people of the Lumbee Tribe moved back to Robeson County, North Carolina where they currently reside.
Source: http://lumbee.library.appstate.edu/bibliography/mayn014
The University of Georgia is built on native land that belonged to five different native tribes, and all of these native tribes were removed from the land. This is just one of the reasons why it is so important for all students to educate themselves about Native American Rights. Every November is Native American Heritage Month, and throughout the month the Native American Student Association and the Institute of Native American studies at UGA work to educate students and people in Athens about indigenous heritage.
There is a local business in Athens that works to educate the Athens community about Native American Culture as well as supports Native American artists. The local store, the Native American Gallery, sells art that is handmade by different tribes in Southwest America. This store gives people in Athens the chance to learn about and appreciate the culture of some Southwest Native American tribes.
Source:
https://www.redandblack.com/culture/exploring-the-fabric-of-america-with-native-american-heritage-month/article_0a9c8888-ca85-11e7-9b02-b39aabcc80a9.html
American Indian:
American Indians are people indigenous to America who are part of a tribe or community. Over 3 million people in the US are of American Indian or Native American origin.
Cultural Appropriation:
Cultural Appropriation is when “members of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group”. It contributes to stereotypes and takes the power away from less dominant groups to create and express their own traditions.
Source: https://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/cultural-appropriation-wrong/
Cultural Advocacy:
Cultural advocacy and awareness entails an understanding and respect for the traditions, religions, customs, and languages of a certain group. When thinking about American Indian cultural advocacy it is important to remember that there are over 500 federally recognized tribes that each have a unique culture and history.
Native or Indian?:
American Indian, Native American, and Indigenous Americans are terms that refer to the same groups of peoples. However, each tribe has their own preferred term. The Lumbee Tribe has shared in the past that they prefer to be referred to as American Indian.
Facts about AICAA
Over 55,000 members comprise the Lumbee tribe who primarily reside in Robeson County, North Carolina. The Lumbee is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth largest in the US. They have been recognized by the state of North Carolina since 1885, but the tribe itself was believed to be established in 1750. The Lumbee Act was passed in 1956 which recognized the tribe but still denied tribe status as a federally recognized tribe. Because they are not federally recognized, the Lumbee Tribe is not entitled to the same benefits that other tribes are such a disaster relief funds, sovereignty, and land benefits. One of the reasons that the Lumbee Tribe has not been federally recognized is that their heritage is mixed, so some officials have cited that as a reason to not grant them federal recognition.
Source: http://www.lumbeetribe.com/history--culture
http://www.wfae.org/post/reporter-explores-lumbee-identity-history-tribe-fights-federal-recognition#stream/0
AICAA in Athens and Georgia
Native American Culture is ingrained into the history of Georgia. The Lumbee Tribe specifically has roots in Georgia. In 1890, many Lumbee Indians migrated to Bulloch County, Georgia. They experienced much discrimination and segregation due to the Jim Crow Laws that were in place during the time. The oppression in Bulloch County was so severe that the people of the Lumbee Tribe moved back to Robeson County, North Carolina where they currently reside.
Source: http://lumbee.library.appstate.edu/bibliography/mayn014
The University of Georgia is built on native land that belonged to five different native tribes, and all of these native tribes were removed from the land. This is just one of the reasons why it is so important for all students to educate themselves about Native American Rights. Every November is Native American Heritage Month, and throughout the month the Native American Student Association and the Institute of Native American studies at UGA work to educate students and people in Athens about indigenous heritage.
There is a local business in Athens that works to educate the Athens community about Native American Culture as well as supports Native American artists. The local store, the Native American Gallery, sells art that is handmade by different tribes in Southwest America. This store gives people in Athens the chance to learn about and appreciate the culture of some Southwest Native American tribes.
Source:
https://www.redandblack.com/culture/exploring-the-fabric-of-america-with-native-american-heritage-month/article_0a9c8888-ca85-11e7-9b02-b39aabcc80a9.html
Educational Materials
Here are some great videos to watch and articles to read if you want to learn more about American Indian Cultural Awareness and Advocacy!
American Indian Rights
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIzYzz3rEZU
The Lumbee Tribe
www.southerncultures.org/article/carolina-indians-went-warpath-media-klan-lumbees-north-carolina/
lumbee.library.appstate.edu/introduction-lumbee http://www.lumbeetribe.com/faqs-history
American Indian Rights and Athens
www.redandblack.com/culture/exploring-the-fabric-of-america-with-native-american-heritage-month/article_0a9c8888-ca85-11e7-9b02-b39aabcc80a9.htm
Health Inequalities
jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2668346?utm_source=undefined&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=012118#.WmVh_yjLILF.email
www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/medicare-cuts-threaten-access-to-lifesaving-cancer-treatments
Adoption Laws
www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/10/court-strikes-down-native-american-adoption-law-saying-it-discriminates-against-non-native-americans/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d41d4b288bb2
Elizabeth Warren
www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/10/15/17978158/elizabeth-warren-native-american-claims-dna-ancestry-tests?fbclid=IwAR24vaNJlFuKvVn7IrMzvnfrEate7SCHTjvxIqyRpmVFiB6JTLSUhwvVuTw
www.vox.com/first-person/2018/10/17/17985886/elizabeth-warren-claims-native-american-descent?fbclid=IwAR3J96DjxcIbQSL-Kw_M7Zl849_mFsgzqh3Zns6B2Q4GskPB6OaC1IzF1PE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIzYzz3rEZU
The Lumbee Tribe
www.southerncultures.org/article/carolina-indians-went-warpath-media-klan-lumbees-north-carolina/
lumbee.library.appstate.edu/introduction-lumbee http://www.lumbeetribe.com/faqs-history
American Indian Rights and Athens
www.redandblack.com/culture/exploring-the-fabric-of-america-with-native-american-heritage-month/article_0a9c8888-ca85-11e7-9b02-b39aabcc80a9.htm
Health Inequalities
jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2668346?utm_source=undefined&utm_campaign=content-shareicons&utm_content=article_engagement&utm_medium=social&utm_term=012118#.WmVh_yjLILF.email
www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/medicare-cuts-threaten-access-to-lifesaving-cancer-treatments
Adoption Laws
www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/10/court-strikes-down-native-american-adoption-law-saying-it-discriminates-against-non-native-americans/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d41d4b288bb2
Elizabeth Warren
www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/10/15/17978158/elizabeth-warren-native-american-claims-dna-ancestry-tests?fbclid=IwAR24vaNJlFuKvVn7IrMzvnfrEate7SCHTjvxIqyRpmVFiB6JTLSUhwvVuTw
www.vox.com/first-person/2018/10/17/17985886/elizabeth-warren-claims-native-american-descent?fbclid=IwAR3J96DjxcIbQSL-Kw_M7Zl849_mFsgzqh3Zns6B2Q4GskPB6OaC1IzF1PE
Intersectionality
The social justice issue of American Indian Rights relates to many other social justice topics. Issues such as access to healthcare, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and affordable housing all effect people of the Lumbee Tribe and other American Indian tribes in this country. Here are some articles that dive deeper into the ways American Indian Rights are intersectional with other social justice topics.
Mental Health
www.huffpost.com/entry/native-american-youth-suicide-rates-are-at-crisis-levels_n_560c3084e4b0768127005591
www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/native-american-communities-and-mental-health
medium.com/@bradyhummel/historical-trauma-the-confluence-of-mental-health-and-history-in-native-american-communities-5513985836c5
Environmental Justice
www.reuters.com/article/us-south-dakota-native-americans/out-of-spotlight-tribes-keep-fighting-dakota-pipeline-idUSKBN1KN1HT
Affordable Housing
www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-inpractice-101017.html
LGBTQ+ Rights
www.algbtical.org/2A%20TWOSPIRIT.htm
www.huffpost.com/entry/native-american-youth-suicide-rates-are-at-crisis-levels_n_560c3084e4b0768127005591
www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/native-american-communities-and-mental-health
medium.com/@bradyhummel/historical-trauma-the-confluence-of-mental-health-and-history-in-native-american-communities-5513985836c5
Environmental Justice
www.reuters.com/article/us-south-dakota-native-americans/out-of-spotlight-tribes-keep-fighting-dakota-pipeline-idUSKBN1KN1HT
Affordable Housing
www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-inpractice-101017.html
LGBTQ+ Rights
www.algbtical.org/2A%20TWOSPIRIT.htm
