Indigenous Peoples Task Force

Spotlite: Melissa Lewis, Plenary Speaker
Topic: Health Promotion of Indigenous Food.

Return To Medicines Gathering!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-to-first-medicines-10th-annual-gathering-tickets-888536535697?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Return to First Medicines 10th Annual Gathering Come help us commemorate the last 10 years and take a look back. Spot light: Youth Fashion Show

Missing 12-year-old found on Wednesday The University of Minnesota Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a 12-year-old who went missing Monday.

2023 National Youth Fashion Show fashion show! Check out this year’s Fashion at indigenous Peoples Task Force 2024 Gala! And check out our 10 Annual Return To First Medicine Conference!

https://givebutter.com/rUHKf4

Indigenous Peoples Task Force National Youth Fashion Show

Sneak peak at one of our plenary session!✨

Guest Speakers Johanna Corpeno and Waylon P*e Pahona!

Attend their session at Gathering Medicine 10th Annual Conference and get your yoga onn! 🧘🪴

Experience life in a new way! ☀️


QR code & link to order your tickets today! ✅
(Youth Welcomed)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-to-first-medicines-10th-annual-gathering-registration-888534770417?aff=erelexpmlt

From my Dakota perspective, the journey of human existence begins long before we take our first breath in this physical world. In the world of the matrix, we are enveloped in a sacred and nurturing environment, receiving the fundamental endowments and capacities necessary for our journey into human life. This primordial stage is where we are infused with the essence of life, guided by the Creator and the wisdom of our ancestors, preparing us for the trials and tribulations of earthly existence.

Our physical and spiritual senses are delicately formed and developed in that embryonic state. Our eyes, symbolic of vision and insight, begin to take shape, preparing us to perceive the beauty and challenges of the world we are about to enter. Our ears, symbolic of understanding and awareness, are crafted to hear the wisdom of our elders, the songs of nature, and the heartbeat of Mother Earth. These senses are not just physical attributes but are imbued with spiritual significance, readying us for a life where we must balance the seen and unseen, the physical and the spiritual.

As we transition from the matrix to the physical world, we are greeted by the vast expanse of creation. Here, our Creator has provided everything we need for sustenance and growth. Mother Earth offers her bounty. The waters nourish us, the air gives us breath, and the fire warms us. These elements are not merely resources but sacred gifts we must honor and protect. Our physical abilities, honed in the matrix, allow us to interact fully and appreciate these sacred gifts.

Yet, our journey does not end with our birth into this physical realm. Just as we were prepared in the matrix for life on Mother Earth and this physical world of time and space, we must now prepare ourselves for life beyond this world.

Our Dakota teachings remind us that our time here is a brief passage, a preparation for the next phase of our spiritual journey. We must cultivate virtues such as compassion, love, wisdom, justice, and resilience in this physical world of time and space.

These are the forces of divine existence that we need to acquire, mirroring how we gained our physical senses in the matrix.
Our spiritual preparation involves deepening our connection with our Creator, our ancestors, and all creation. It requires us to live harmoniously with the natural world, respect the interconnected web of life, and uphold our community's values. Through ceremonies, prayers, and daily acts of love and kindness, we strengthen our spiritual muscles, preparing for the journey ahead.

In essence, life is a continuous cycle of preparation and transition. From the matrix to the physical world and from the physical to the spiritual realm, we are in a perpetual state of becoming. Each stage is a sacred opportunity to grow, learn, and align ourselves with the Creator's divine purpose. By embracing this perspective, we honor the sacredness of our existence and ensure that we are always ready for the next phase of our journey, wherever it may lead.

The term "matrix" has several meanings. Still, it carries profound significance in this Dakota perspective on the journey of human existence. From this understanding, the "matrix" is a foundational, nurturing environment where life emerges and develops. It is a place of origin and formation where the essential elements of being are cultivated and prepared for the next phase of existence.

Multiple Layers of Meaning:

Womb: On a literal level, the matrix refers to the womb, where human life begins. In the womb, a developing embryo receives the nutrients, protection, and environment necessary for growth, forming the basis for its future physical existence.

Source of Life: The matrix symbolizes the primal source from which life springs forth. It is the initial stage where the fundamental capacities and endowments for human life are bestowed upon us. This includes not only physical attributes but also spiritual and emotional foundations.

Nurturing Environment: The matrix is a place of nurturing and preparation. Just as a womb provides all that is necessary for the development of a baby, the matrix in this context is seen as providing all the essential qualities and potentials that we will need in our physical existence.

Spiritual Foundation: Beyond the physical, the matrix may be seen as a spiritual environment. It is a realm where our spiritual senses and capacities are formed, preparing us for the earthly journey to balance material existence with spiritual growth.

A Dakota Perspective on the Matrix:

From my Dakota perspective, the matrix is not merely a biological concept but a profound spiritual metaphor. It is a sacred space where the Creator and our ancestors' wisdom imbues us with the qualities and strengths we need for our life journey. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of all stages of existence, highlighting the continuity between the spiritual preparation in the matrix and the physical and spiritual experiences in this world.

Preparing for Future Existence:

Just as the matrix prepares us for entering the physical world, our life here is seen as a preparation for the next stage of existence. This cyclical understanding of life underscores the importance of spiritual development and acquiring virtues and wisdom that will serve us beyond our current reality.

In summary, the "matrix" is a profoundly meaningful term encompassing the womb, the source of life, a nurturing environment, and a spiritual foundation. It represents the initial stage of our journey, where we receive the capacities and endowments necessary for our earthly life, and it serves as a reminder of the continuous preparation we must undertake for our ongoing spiritual journey.

Shunkmanu He Me Yedo! Chanupa Sapa He Me Yedo!

"A little while and I will be gone from among you, whither I cannot tell. From nowhere we come, into nowhere we go. What is life? It is a flash of firefly in the night. It is a breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is as the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset."
Chief Crowfoot (1830-April 25,1890)

Chief Crowfoot (Issapóómahksika) was a revered leader of the Siksika Nation. His parents, Istowun-ehʼpata (Packs a Knife) and Axkahp-say-pi (Attacked Towards Home), were members of the Kainai Nation. After the death of his father during a raid on the Crow tribe, Crowfoot's mother remarried Akay-neck-simi (Many Names) from the Siksika people, with whom Crowfoot was raised.

As a warrior, Crowfoot participated in nineteen battles, enduring numerous injuries. Despite his prowess in battle, he was a staunch advocate for peace and worked tirelessly to achieve it for his people. Crowfoot played a pivotal role in the negotiations for Treaty Number 7, a significant agreement for the Blackfoot Confederacy.

He passed away from tuberculosis at Blackfoot Crossing on April 25, 1890. Eight hundred members of the Blackfoot Confederacy and government dignitaries attended his funeral, highlighting his importance and respect within the community.

Chief Crowfoot's legacy extends beyond his lifetime, with many memorials commemorating his contributions to the Blackfoot Confederacy. In 2008, he was inducted into the North America Railway Hall of Fame, honoring his impact on the railway industry and recognizing his broader influence. His life and work remain a testament to his leadership, negotiation skills, and dedication to the well-being of his people.

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Spotlight!

Dr. Dee-Ann Carpenter was born on Hawaiʻi island and was raised in Nāʻālehu, proudly known as the southernmost community in the United States. She is an award winning Native Hawaiian Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician and Associate Professor in the Department of Native Hawaiian Health and the Office of Medical Education at John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

We are so excited to have Dr. Dee-Ann Carpenter join us at our Return to First Medicines Conference!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-to-first-medicines-10th-annual-gathering-registration-888534770417?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0rmNH6ITI_dOks5zTI8-oQ-GyeQy02G61QdtlxFb0kl03AtAiICApMzmU_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

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Spotlight!

A hilarious comedian known as "Rez Reporter", we are so excited to have Rob Fairbanks as our MC for the Return to First Medicines Conference AND our comedian for IPTF's GALA!!!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-to-first-medicines-10th-annual-gathering-registration-888534770417?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0rmNH6ITI_dOks5zTI8-oQ-GyeQy02G61QdtlxFb0kl03AtAiICApMzmU_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

A fun event coming up on June 30th here at DIW! Registration is limited so you must rsvp to Elizabeth at [email protected] to join. Food and ingredients for mocktails are included, as well as incentives!

Two-Spirit and/or Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals age 35
and above living with HIV will be gifted a Pendleton
blanket to participate in a confidential 1.5-hour interview
about what it means to age well with HIV. Participants will
also be provided a resource guide that includes Indigenous
2S/LGBTQ+ cultural events and culturally responsive
public health information.

Scan the QR code below or visit https://bit.ly/3vZVrit
to see if you are eligible for a 1.5-hour interview.

Shout out to one the indigenous Native National Youth, Adrienne day from last years fashion, Return to First Medicines Conference , 2023 
Continues thrive, creating his own clothing design, art. Adrian is talented and gifted! Congratulations to all of you on such beautiful work. ❤️❤️❤️

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GALA 2024! Indigenous Peoples Task Force We are inviting you to join with us to celebrate 35 years of service to the Indigenous community. The Indigenous Peoples Task Force began

Our youth have enjoyed a busy spring, including (clockwise from top left) a theater workshop led by Ernest Briggs, hiking in Ramsey Falls, performing for a Native Americans in Philanthropy Conference and a Moccasin Workshop. Follow them Ikidowin Iptf

Important community event this weekend.

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Return to First Medicines 10th Annual Gathering Come help us commemorate the last 10 years and take a look back. Spot light: Youth Fashion Show

StrongHearts Native Helpline - YouTube StrongHearts Native Helpline is a culturally-appropriate domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans, offering support and referrals ...

Put this on your calendar!! Coming up in early February❤

Press Release
Indigenous Peoples Task Force
January 4, 2024

The Indigenous Peoples Task Force supports the right of each and every human being to have safe, affordable housing. We also support the closure of the Nenookaasi Encampment located adjacent to our Manidoowahdak Odena housing complex. We support City, County, State and federal leadership providing more resources to providing housing to people.

As neighbors of the current camp, we have several concerns. As the aerial photos of the site show, the camp houses many people in a very small space next to our housing complex and other housing. We are aware of the over 100 police reports, including sexual assault, human trafficking, other violence and drug trafficking. We are concerned about the fires burning within feet of residential buildings, including buildings clad in cedar. We have had vandalism including our vehicle being drilled to access fuel. We also wish to uplift the voices of community residents who feel the stress day to day of living next to an encampment and all of the issues and predatory behaviors that come along with it. Their voices are seldom heard and we wish to support our residents as well as our community neighbors who are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation.

We understand that the City is considering a resolution to regulate and provide services to camps for unsheltered homeless people on City property. We ask that in the course of developing any such policy that neighbors be consulted in a meaningful way and that guildelines are developed regarding safety and population density within any proposed camp and the surrounding neighborhood.

And, we have an agreement with the City to build a wellness and arts facility on this lot and we wish to proceed with our plans to do so on this site. Further delays increase the construction costs for IPTF. We urge city, county and state officials to increase housing for our relatives as well as program funding for drug prevention among our youth.

For questions call Sharon M. Day,
Executive Director @ 651-325-8077

Dakota women leading two Twin Cities nonprofits aim to be catalysts for change The Twin Cities are at the epicenter of a dynamic shift in the world of land stewardship and restoration work. Leading the charge are two nonprofit environmental organizations —Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi and Owámniyomni Okhódayapi — now both led by Indigenous women.

Half way through the season Alissa Pili (Inupiaq), from the University of Utah, is ranked 4th in the nation in points per game and 5th in the nation in total points for the NCAA Division 1.

Help shape a health future for the urban AI community! Join one of the town hall meetings in STP or MPLS. First 120 participants will receive a gift card and food!

americanindiancancer.org

Sign-ups have now begun for the Winter Basket Giveaway! You can call the food shelf at 612-279-6343 to sign up and clearly state all information requested. Or you can always come in person during the food shelf's open hours to sign up,

Sign-up through December 13th at 12pm or until the list is full.

It will feel so good to say you helped build the first Black or Indigenous owned theater in Minnesota. Your gift will be doubled by a matching grant. Let's make it happen!

Give to the Max Day is Today!
https://www.givemn.org/story/Rememberourteachings