Call for Action: Protect Our Indigenous Elders
Hello Community,
I hope this note finds you safe, nourished, and holding yourselves tenderly. I am writing in here because one of my elders Grandmother Marika Alvarado has made a public statement asking for community support in her efforts to combat COVID-19 within the Apache community. Sharing her words below.
A message from Grandmother Marika:
“Hello friends,
We write to you today to ask for your assistance in supporting stricken communities of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. This nation is located in the mountains and mesas of north-central New Mexico, and like many Native communities, has been hard hit with the effects of COVID-19.
According to Indian Health Services, there are more than 3,607 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus among Native American tribes. Native peoples in New Mexico account for 50% of the state's COVID-19 deaths, even though they make up only 11% of the population. In addition, Native American nations have increasingly taken on greater responsibility for providing a wide range of health services on their lands, but unlike state and local governments, the tribes cannot collect adequate taxes to pay for these operations during social distancing. Native American tribes’ tax base have been cut literally to zero, and tribal governments do not have money to run the health clinic or other services.
Of The Earth Institute Of Indigenous Cultures and Teachings, created by Marika Alvarado, of the Lipan Mescalero Apache, is seeking donations so that traditional plant medicines can be sent to this community desperately in need. Of the Earth Institute will provide the medicine but needs assistance with postage to get plant medicines to these communities.”
Grandmother Marika is one of the few Medicine Women that holds her knowledge, and so not only is she assisting the Apache Nation but also the Coushatta Nation in Alabama. She has been self-funding her work, growing the plants, harvesting them, preparing the medicine, and shipping them out. She has run out of the funds needed for supplies like mason jars, etc and the shipping costs.
I am trying to come up with creative ways to support her and raise funds, including offering a zine where 100% of the sales from this zine will go to Grandmother Marika directly but I need help with amplification. If you feel called to donate, share with your communities, make a creative offering, etc. please let me know. I have received her permission to share this within my community, including on social media, to raise funds for her efforts.
I know there is so much occurring in the world right now, and I know there are many communities that need assistance, I share this because it is time sensitive and our indigenous elders deserve to be taken care of and provided for.
HOW TO DONATE:
Click on the “buy now” button, type in amount you wish to give and a note.
Your donation is tax deductible and any amount will help.
2. Donate via Paypal to: Marika@oftheearthhealing.net
3. Venmo @koamikaelah your donation with “Protect our Elders” as a note and I will donate on your behalf
4. Purchase a Creating Sacred Space Zine here, 100% of sales go directly to Grandmother Marika