Mother’s Day has always been pretty tough for me. Growing up my mom had a lot of mental health challenges including bipolar disorder & depression, many of which perpetuated a lot of harm on myself & my family. I am still processing the trauma that I experienced. When harm continued to be perpetuated & she was either unwilling or unable to accept her actions or work on herself I had to cut her out of my life. So Unfortunately for my own wellbeing I haven’t spoken to or had a relationship with her for over 7 years. I feel I’ve always sought a mother figure in my life. Even now it’s a big hole in my heart that cannot be filled. I feel sure of my decision not to have her in my life, but not having a mom is really hard, especially today. Mother’s Day always brings up bad memories. Memories such as when she threw me to the ground in high school, or would yell directly into my sister’s face about “respect” , that we would all have to tiptoe & direct our lives around her emotions. Or how she made my being molested by a family member when I was 15 about her. That I had to comfort her because she didn’t get an apology from that family. Or how when I retreated into myself from the incident because of how alone I felt she asked if I was struggling because I “liked” being molested. About how she would use $ given to us for school clothes for herself & we would have to help her hide it. About how she would steal money from us but then pit one twin against the other by making it seem as if they were the ones that stole it. So many memories that I am still working through. But I am so thankful for the incredible, kind, loving, supportive & amazing woman in my life that have in some way filled that empty space for me over the years. That loved me, valued me, supported me and respected me in ways I had not known before. So though today can be such mixed emotions for me, I decide to end on the immense appreciate I have for all those women. For who they are & how they’ve shaped me into who I am today. I don’t know if they will ever know how much they healed my heart & I will always carry them there ♥️ tagged are some of those wonderful women ♥️ also Jenny Miller & Sharon Akers
Attention friends and family in the area✨🪶, our film “Conquistadors” has made its trip around the globe and is now back in the PNW and will be screening tonite at the “Seattle Crypticon festival” those of you that can, come out and watch us all in action as we battle spirits not of this world in this epic tale of a fathers devotion to his family and dedication to his tribal homelands🌅 directed by the amazing @byrongouette7 and featuring our very own @lnavajo in her big screen acting debut✨🪶 as well as @godsavecarolynjean@its_a_damn_shane_@e.s.glasser and @rob_mathisen in his big acting debut as well. We hope to see you all there. Link to the site and ticket info are in the comments. ✨🌌🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌅☀️🪶
Next Thursday April 9th @ 6:30pm @fryeartmuseum will be hosting an exciting and beautiful evening with an extremely talented group of collaborators @lnavajo@bethehollowbone@savage_253_native@water_warriors_official_page this event will be full of songs, dance, poetry and ceramic whistles ✨🌱⚡️
Each one of these performers holds medicine, talents, strengths and teachings from their ancestors with a deep commitment to community empowerment and respect for all living creatures in our ecosystems. We are a diverse group of indigenous people from all over the Americas!
In addition, we are so lucky to witness the next generation of Puyallup leaders, healers and warriors Dorothy and Michael Case! Thank you @water_warriors_official_page for all the community youth work y’all do and to the wonderful @hey_buxx for all your organization, assistances with planning and patience. Shout out Dylan for mic, lighting and digital media needs and to Kathryn for all the support and help!
*images and videos are from last night’s dress rehearsal🦇🐺🐍
Two Cultures One Community Pendleton Powwow with my Powwow Family. Felt soooo good to be back in the Powwow circle. Had to pace myself though, which goes against my stubborn personality, but so grateful to be back. ♥️
To say I am excited to dance this weekend is an understatement. I cannot wait to be back in the circle. The human body is an amazing thing and I’m so grateful for mine. // Peep one of my favs to dance with:)
Wow, big news for “conquistadors” Were going to Sweden ✨🌌🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌅☀️🪶 Cant wait for you all to see this one. 🙌🏾 stay tuned, stay blessed and acknowledge those blessings family & friends💖
Thank you Byron, Lauren, Rob, Devin, Billy, Caroline, Shane and Elliot for making this one as epic as it’s turning out to be, wow. 🤩 so grateful to be apart of this, thank you all so much 🙏🏾✨🪶 stay blessed family and friends 🥰
At least I get to live off the immense hilarity when I tell people I broke my foot in prison. True story. Thanks @unkitawa for the opportunities and for the good injury story ♥️
Love this Powwow Family of mine! ♥️ Cold Plunge Tradition to bring in the New Year! Snake River this time. aeshuN Nimiipuu for providing the opportunity to dance in the New Year.
