Category: Community

Community

For Partners and Allies in Rematriation

Collaborative partnerships between Indigenous communities, non-Indigenous allies, and governmental or non-governmental organizations are important for advancing the land-back and rematriation movements. These partnerships can offer a framework for shared responsibilities, resources, and expertise, contributing to the success and sustainability of land-return initiatives in several ways. Collaborative partnerships can enable the pooling of resources, both financial and technical. Non-Indigenous allies and organizations can provide funding, legal … Continue reading For Partners and Allies in Rematriation

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney HolleyLeave a comment
Community

Our Homelands & Our Healing

The land-back and rematriation movements go beyond the physical return of territory; they carry immeasurable implications for healing, reconciliation, and the restoration of NIpmuc community’s cultural identity. Returning land to Indigenous peoples can be a complex process that addresses historical trauma, revitalizes traditional knowledge, and fosters a sense of empowerment and autonomy for the people. Land is central to our cultural identity as Nipmuc people. … Continue reading Our Homelands & Our Healing

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney HolleyLeave a comment
Community

Land-Back

Land-Back – An Historical Context Land-back is the act of returning land to Indigenous peoples. Returning land can be by direct gift, purchase, or any other form of giving the land title to the original people that occupied the space. Land-back returns physical and political control to the original peoples. It also provides the opportunity to educate the public about tribal stewardship based on traditional … Continue reading Land-Back

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney HolleyLeave a comment
Community

Root Doctresses & Indian Doctresses

Doctress is a term once used for a female doctor. It was more commonly used when females were not encouraged to practice medicine. It was also used to describe African and Indigenous women who used their cultures’ healing methods within (and sometimes outside) their communities. A root doctress is a practitioner of African American folk medicine and spiritual practices. In Africa, medical practices tied together … Continue reading Root Doctresses & Indian Doctresses

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney HolleyLeave a comment
Community

Indigenous Cosmology and Solar Observatories

Indigenous cosmology refers to the traditional beliefs and understanding of the universe held by various Indigenous peoples worldwide. Indigenous cosmologies are often deeply connected to the land and reflect each community’s unique and spiritual perspectives. These belief systems generally involve complex relationships between humans, the natural world, the night sky, and the spiritual realm. Many Indigenous cosmologies include creation stories that explain how the universe … Continue reading Indigenous Cosmology and Solar Observatories

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney HolleyLeave a comment
Community

What is Rematriation?

In what is now called New England, some centuries ago, European invaders disrupted our relationship with our homelands. They removed us from our lands, prevented access to crucial medicines, and eliminated and polluted our water sources. No longer living in relationship with the land, we lost its teachings. The invaders also reorganized our social systems into replicas of their patriarchal system. Our people lost knowledge, … Continue reading What is Rematriation?

Unknown's avatarCheryll Toney Holley2 Comments