Intent does not matter. Impact does!

Have you ever been afraid to be erased? Feel the impact of your answer. 

Right now, Indigenous women and girls are being erased as we speak. Their voices silenced, their bodies disposed of, their trauma ignored. 

May 5th was Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls day. 

As we made posts to social media to spread awareness of the issue, the posts disappeared from social media. Instagram announced that it was experiencing global technical issues unrelated to any particular topic.

But intent does not matter. Impact does. 

Regardless of whether or not Instagram was experiencing technical issues, Indigenous voices were still erased which perpetuates harm. It sends the message that Indigenous identities and trauma don’t matter. 

Silencing marginalized voices has intense repercussions, intentional or not. 

Learn about the impact of erasure in my TEDx, “Reclaiming Our Power.”
When we say BIPOC, we emphasize the I for this reason. The impact that this erasure has is so great for Indigenous communities because they’re so familiar with their grief and trauma being concealed.

This concealment is an intentional systemic tool of oppression to avoid repair.

If you live on stolen land, remember to acknowledge and honor this. Listen to Indigenous voices. Get educated, avoid cultural appropriation.

Acknowledge the pain, the trauma and the history. We have to stop the erasure by shining light on the truth. By bridging indigenous voices to the forefront.

And for all of my Native communities, I see you, I hear you, and I am here for you.

Much love,

Nora