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- Our Purpose -
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have long honored and revered the Feminine for they know that She, in all Her majestic forms, gives life. The ancestors of the Indigenous People of this land, literally made fertile with their beliefs and practices, the place where we all stand today. Nation Unsevered believes that the healing of our nation and Earth lies in the healing and restoration of the Sacred Feminine in all forms. In order to heal and restore, the time has come for the non-native community to stand WITH and FOR ALL Indigenous Peoples, learn from their ancient wisdom and advocate for causes that are all of our causes. What we do to Indigenous People, we do to Mother Earth, we do to the Sacred Feminine and we do to ourselves. Nation Unsevered seeks to inspire movements, action and change through profound love, while facing hard truths and acknowledging root causes to current tragedies. Standing Bear from the Ponca Tribe said, "Underneath our Skin, the same color of Blood Runs." May we NEVER turn our backs again.
- Our Mission -
Nation Unsevered is a movement made of fierce love, listening and service, where the Indigenous Peoples of this land elevate to the forefront of our consciousness and sacred activism.
We believe that our Indigenous relatives better understand the nature of the complex issues they face as a consequence of colonization and its dramatic and tragic effects that are still playing out in contemporary society.
We hope to inspire a sense of urgency and responsibility in every citizen to join in solidarity and learn from the Indigenous Community for the sake of all present and future generations.
Nation Unsevered uses all financial and in-kind contributions to support Indigenous-led, solutions based initiatives.
Nation Unsevered holds the VISION that one day, Indigenous wisdom, knowledge and ways of life are finally honored, revered and integrated into the values of our contemporary society, helping us all heal and restore health, balance and integrity to people, nation and the Earth.
- Our Manifesto -
Become "UNSEVERED"
REMEMBER. YOU ARE A PART of it ALL. Look for the STARS, "they are the womb of human CREATIVITY". Feel the TIDE that is IN YOU, in BREATH and BEAT. The MOON reflects YOUR BEAUTY, the SUN GIVES LIFE. EMBRACE the MYSTERY of the unknown. Get your FEET on the GROUND, STAND TALL with TREES, BECOME ROOTED in the EARTH. OBSERVE the NATURAL WORLD, the ANIMALS TEACH US how to LIVE and BE, they are OUR RELATIVES. Drop the phone and SAY HELLO. EVERYONE has a STORY that matters. EVERYONE MATTERS! Meditate on what YOU have been GIVEN. USE your ADVANTAGES to STAND for those with a disadvantage. BECOME a SISTER and BROTHER to EACH OTHER. ACKNOWLEDGE and LEARN from the PAST so we can HEAL OUR FUTURE. APOLOGIZE with SINCERITY. ALIGN your CHOICES, ACTIONS and LIFE-STYLE with your most SACRED VALUES. GROW your MIND, EXPAND your HEART. INDIGENOUS WISDOM holds the KEY to our TRANSFORMATION. Remember that WATER is SACRED, that PLANTS and BUGS FEED US, and ROCKS have ENERGY. CONNECT to the RHYTHM of the SEASONS, there is a REASON for them. TAKE CARE of OUR CHILDREN, for they are OUR FUTURE. LOVE WOMEN, they are the LIFE-GIVERS. TRUE BALANCE lies in the HARMONY between the MASCULINE and FEMININE. HONOR the LAND. KNOW your STRENGTH, KNOW your WORTH.
YOU ARE CONNECTED.
BELIEVE WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER. Become UNSEVERED.
WE ARE, NATION UNSEVERED!
Erin E. Mitchell
Founder and Executive Director
As an Acupuncturist, herbalist and Chinese Medicine practitioner, I've long believed in the ancient wisdom that to band-aid symptoms only prolongs and worsens disease. However, by going to the root of any problem, true healing is possible. So I set out to better learn and understand the source of what seemed to be a growing dis-ease in our country, our Nation's proliferating polarization. In May of 2018, I traveled to South Dakota and Wyoming to participate in a Native American cultural immersion program, learning history through the lens of those who did not benefit from this nation's founding. What I learned and witnessed was painful. I had to face the hard truth that no matter how altruistic my contributions to this society may be, that as a privileged, middle-class, "educated", "white" woman, my ability to live, thrive, be successful and to feel pride for my country, the United States of America, the home of the free and the brave, is still contingent upon the largest act of
mass genocide ever in history. I believe that until we acknowledge and reckon with this core wound embedded in our very foundation, and many other truths that have been systematically and intentionally ignored, they will continue to fester like a cancer, dividing us and moving us further away from instead of closer to a true democracy.
After learning directly from Indigenous peoples and about their experience, I was better able to connect the dots. I could see how our shadow history has led to many of the modern tragedies and challenges of our time. The climate change crisis, Black Lives Matter movement, the MeToo, Times up, LGBTQ2S and animal rights movements are all indelibly connected.
While I recognize that I am not responsible for acts committed before my time, I AM responsible for doing something about what I know today, which is why I founded Nation Unsevered. The glass of my safe and comfortable life was shattered as I came to a greater awareness of our history and my part in it. At that moment of learning, of awakening, my heart broke open. But while truth can hurt, it bears the resonance of true healing and I want this true healing for all of us. I realized that it was no longer enough for me to advocate for environmental and racial justice, it was not enough for me to practice Earth centered medicine, it was not enough for me to support our youth to better manage their stress and anger. All of these ways are simply band-aids to cover up gaping wounds and the separation, polarization and hate mongering caused by the chaos and trauma elicited on all citizens of this nation since its very founding. But it is NEVER too late.
Morally and practically, as a first step, we must immediately stand for Indigenous women and girls who are disappearing at alarming rates in the United States, North America and globally. AND we also have to begin a tough but liberating journey inward, to our own hearts.
So I hope you will join me in whatever way calls to you in your own life. If "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all of us are created equal, that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." And if we really want peace, if we want our daughters to have the same rights as our sons, if we want our brothers and sisters of color and all historically marginalized peoples to have the same opportunities as anyone, if we want ecological healing, if we want to love our neighbor as ourselves, then it’s time we listen and begin dismantling false foundations and rebuilding ones that are made of truth, integrity and love. I believe that Indigenous people hold keys to ecological and soul-level healing that we are desperately looking for and need. It's time we open our eyes and ears and allow their voices to be heard and open to their wisdom to help lead us toward a greater understanding of ourselves and our Nation.
Without honesty, we are lost souls unable to know ourselves, or to make meaningful contributions or choices for ourselves, families and communities. Only by knowing ourselves will be able able to respect and love one another. It’s time to be truthful about our beginnings so ALL of us can begin healing. The soul of the Earth and our own souls are depending on us. We are not here to "fix" or impose our ideas on Indigenous peoples, that would only be repeating a harmful pattern. As Nation Unsevered, we come to learn, to stand with and for Tribal and First Nations peoples, as allies and as human relatives. Will you join me?