06/07/2026
7 things to indigenously give up:
1. Shame about not being indigenous enough - some grew up in cities, others in villages; our roots are all connected to culture. No one is better or worse. Don't let that stop learning or living.
2. Any thought that connects to "Who do I think I am...doing this or that." Humans don't all have equal opportunity but they all have equal possible capabilities. Don't allow your inner voice/old tape to stop you from reaching for dreams, options, or what feels out of reach. Take chances. "Fail." Impossible becomes I'm possible.
3. Working so hard that you miss out on the joy! Many of us work for the greater good. Giving our life for helping better our communities. Working ourselves to the bone. We deserve belly laughs, true JOY and moments of peace. Even when grieving 🤎
4. The need to keep our blood families all together regardless of unhealthy behaviour. Unfortunately, when so much history exists and some hang on to unhealthy traumatizing behaviour, sometimes the ties need to have boundaries, shifts, and that can mean changed relationships. Love from afar. Or let go for self-preservation. Life is short. We are creating ripple effects, either way. I hope for our future generations for the healthiest communities and freedom possible.
5. Giving up hope on language and culture. We have living, breathing culture. It exists. We just ARE. I speak a word and truly believe the ancestors hear me and celebrate moments of acknowledgement, connection and strengthening. Life force. Find the pieces that bring you joy, belonging, skills for respectful living on this earth, self-love, self-worth, healing the owwies and strengthening spirit. It's your relationship with you. No one defines or knows or lives that but you.
6. The need to shrink ourselves to make others comfortable. At times our laughs are big. Our teasing is big. Our ideas and thinking out of western society box can feel big to others. Don't shrink for anyone. Creator made you. You are a shining star. Shine!
7. We don't need to explain. We don't need to share all of our knowledge. Sacred knowledge has boundaries. We come from a long line of no consent for so many things. Some people are leeches. Others want the knowledge for entertainment(?), for selling, for using us. The honour we give animals, beings, water, time, si'satxw - we decide what to share and where. We also aren't here to teach others about "reconciliation" or appease their guilt or to be their interesting reflection for their relationship with history. We are busy. We have indigenous things to do!
Words have power. Words empower. Our self-talk and words we carry and hold on to matter. We grow from all the good things and these words are gifts to you. If they help you in any way, I hope this grouping of english letters supports your clearing of debris, of the intergenerational effects, of the time we spend surviving to shift to thriving.
I see you rocking embodying being Indigenous. It's a good day to be Indigenous. It's a good life to be Indigenous. Much respect & BIG LOVE ❤️
-mangus
🤎🤎🤎🤎
🌲🌱🍃🌳
Share away. I read to edit or add to it but it's all still truths to me. Take what's helpful 🤩
