Looking for somewhere to give this Giving Tuesday?
After the holiday weekend where we all took a moment to contemplate our gratitude, it may be a good moment to contemplate something else: That the Thanksgiving holiday narrative many of us white people grew up with was distorted, and very far from the truth.
The holiday, and much of our country, was built upon exploitation, colonialism and continued oppression.
If you’ve never heard this before, here are some helpful truths.
That makes this a great time to give to Indigenous peoples. Not to alleviate your guilt. Not because one small gift will compensate for centuries of harm, violence and dishonesty.
But it is one tiny step in the right direction.
Where to Give
In the US, we are all living on stolen lands. You could takes steps to stop inflicting harm by returning the land you ‘own’ to its original Nation, like this couple in Nova Scotia.
Whether you rent or ‘own’ your own home — but especially if you ‘own’ — you could pay a voluntary land tax to the Nation whose lands you are living on.
You can find out whose lands you are living on with this tool. Then further look into how you can make some small attempt at personal reparations with that specific Nation.
Give Directly
You could also give directly. Here are some direct giving opportunities from the Twittersphere:
A local relative, who is a Black and Native mother and auntie, has recently been fired from her job after long term care needed.
She is at a rehabilitation facility after emergency surgery. If anyone can help with uncovered costs, they have a gfm set up. https://t.co/Z7381Erf09
— mutualayd ndn 🪶🤠🤏🏼 (@mutualaydndn) November 29, 2021
URGENT TIME SENSITIVE NEED
settlers yr rent is due. reparations are due. celebrating thanksTAKING a “holiday” that is a painful reminder of the /ongoing/ genocide
pls share it goes a long way
reparations himonasi! yakoke chito #SettlerSaturday #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/AuGaz6VOCg— breedittarius 🥺 (@gaytivequeer) November 24, 2021
Hálito Im a black native trying to get into medical school. I need help paying for my medical college admissions test because I’m not working rn due to studying. My cashapp and Venmo is TaySBB thank you!
— Nicki’s Cousin’s Friend’s Ex-Fiancé (@gayhowsway) November 25, 2021
Hi friends! I’m a single native mama of 3. We need help with groceries and propane. Anything helps to keep us safe and warm this winter 🙏❤https://t.co/zEo9gctlRT
— Zaagi’idiwin (@BeeAndThree) November 25, 2021
my big sister G & my baby nephew are still carless & living in an overcrowded home. pls consider d0nating to them this #Thanksgiving 🤲🏼https://t.co/IHY4hoI1ch
Instantly accessible funds are also appreciated ❤️🔥✨https://t.co/RNjdR9wLyN
anything helps 🙏🏼🙇🏻♀️
— 🌹 (@cupidwithanak) November 25, 2021
Diné Mama to 2 & I’ve been struggling to make ends meet due to making sure my Dad gets his meds & see the doctors
I have no money to pay for my own rent,car note,bills so
Any help is appreciated for my kids+I 🙏🏽
Ahéhee’
🖤❤🤎🤍💛
↪ https://t.co/MYadSZvXi7
↪ Vnmo me @ Raven-7 pic.twitter.com/P8kgskiZHZ— 🌌Raven💫 (@yaadilahRaven) November 25, 2021
Halito! 🦃 i’m an NB chahta living ion tribal land needing help with some basic necessities this thanksgiving and #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth like groceries and bill money since we used almost all of it to feed our 75+ size family. yakoke 💛https://t.co/7vaDMSC9I4
— chahta thot-ah 🪶 (@_kridgen) November 25, 2021
Lakota trans woman here with a current goal of 2650 (I’m at 915 of that whole amount right now but anything extra goes towards my apartment search)! Help me get this bill out of collections, please!
P: https://t.co/FJTQtCa0wV
V: Evelyn-Vocu
C: $EvelynVocu— Evelyn Vocu (@evelyn_jade91) November 25, 2021
I live in rural downeast Maine and recently our paid off truck’s gasket blew. We had to finance a new car because winter has approached quickly.
Due to spending most of our savings we have a small budget for the arrival of our new baby girl.
Thank u 🙂https://t.co/MAv8Unl13t
— Canté (@cantepejuta) November 25, 2021
This is for my parents, they’ve been slowly recovering from Covid financially and my Dad has been making great improvements health wise but has kidney failure 💔
I’m hoping they reach their goal of $5k today.
Ahéhee for the help!https://t.co/fkvVaRr3Cy— 🌌Raven💫 (@yaadilahRaven) November 25, 2021
Hello! I am a native mom of 2 💙 i also am a caregiver to my mom w MS. We are a family of 5 & could use help w bills & groceries 💕 Venmo: Bebaamaazhidikwe-1 Cashapp: $bebaamaazhidikwe PayPal: https://t.co/QXSHtJTMKv
— Bebaamaazhidikwe (@Bebaamaazhidikw) November 25, 2021
came back to add this ❤️🔥✨ https://t.co/IdXXOnQ780
— 🌹 (@cupidwithanak) November 25, 2021
Hello!
I am a Native mother of three and I could use help with propane and funds for winter jackets. It’s getting pretty cold on our reservation.
Any help appreciated!https://t.co/ZybrYMFHe2
Vnmo- @Wnona-Boado— Little Light SIS (@lilbearsis) November 25, 2021
Hello! I’m C, and I’m hoping today I’ll finally raise the funds to buy myself a bed! I haven’t had one of my own since I was fifteen and it’d be nice to have one on chronic pain days and colder days since winter is coming. Anything helps! Thank you! https://t.co/RoJwVyuYY7
— C // 💗💛💙 (@thisisctrying) November 25, 2021
Tay now needs $311 to make her goal of finally getting housed fir the first time in years! Don*te literally anything. The sooner and more Tay received, the more likely she’ll be housed next month! v: Taliyah-DeCoteau
c: $tayxana
p: https://t.co/NicObTXiPPhttps://t.co/A6Kx2M6BQD— GunFistle Toe. Check Out Pinned! ✿ #BLM ACAB (@gunswordfist) November 27, 2021
If anyone wants to help me from getting an overdraft fee i would really appreciate it! wopila! https://t.co/SqSfajl6Hn pic.twitter.com/80BEKlNmNj
— leala🍓 (@leala_lakota) November 25, 2021
https://t.co/KAUyZD170t 37% of the way to my goal for safe and secure housing! Anything and everything helps! Migwetch!
V*nmo – woodland_crane
Cash – $woodlandcrane— Dani🌿 (@woodland_crane) November 25, 2021
#settlersaturday #tipanative #nativetipjar #MutualAidRequest really hoping I could possibly get some help with getting a bike since I dont drive & I work closing shifts & would love to get home faster at night for my own safety, please and thank you ❤️🥺 pic.twitter.com/Y5swqUyPI9
— Hen 🪶⛓ (@smallangrycat) November 20, 2021
I got a minor dental procedure coming up but it’s going to cost $500 w/out insurance!😵💫
Pp: SierraRevis
V: Sierra-Revis
Cashapp: $SierraRevis— YUCHI MANE (@sieya_revis) November 26, 2021
Thank you! 🙏🏽 💕 I’m raising survival funds as I’m applying for disability. I’m at 30% of the amount I need to get through the next few months. https://t.co/aKhxu4mTnI
— Maya David García- Indigenish is out now! (@mayadavidgarcia) November 25, 2021
Sucks I have to drive thro 3 different cities just get proper dental care I’ll be raising money again for an Uber as I will be sedated for the tooth extraction and won’t be able to take public transportation afterhttps://t.co/EqaECGgUyE
I’m accepting emergency commissions too— 🌟Moon Bear🌟 (@Giizis_Mkwa) November 23, 2021
Venmo and Cashapp- ChrissyHQ
Also would just like to request good vibes of energy and strength sent my way.. mental health is a struggle right now..— ChrissyHQ (@lola4lolz) November 25, 2021
Chronically ill DV survivor & mom displaced by Ida in August- desperately need a home but can’t cover deposits for an apartment & utilities, every dime I earn is eaten up by day to day living expenses
“Cheap” (crappy) motels are expensive
$eagleselatihttps://t.co/RFzZAo3eFE pic.twitter.com/XKwRwykp6X
— ᏣᎳᎩ Auntie #ThanksForGivingNothing (@EaglesElatis) November 13, 2021
☺️🧡
CA: https://t.co/6SmNfxigst
PP: https://t.co/tO7WgabeIS
z*lle: colouredwilde@yahoo.com— Tea (@ColouredWilde) November 25, 2021
Single native mama out on the rez. My baby just turned 1 so she eats a ton, I need to save up for oral surgery in Phoenix, catch up on bills so anything helps and is greatly appreciated thank cashapp $savagegume414 https://t.co/TBN79ywl5h
— Angry native potato (@Angrynuwupotato) November 25, 2021
Hi everyone, I made a fundraiser to help me train my service dog. Since thanksgiving is tomorrow it would be great if some settlers with resources could contribute to helping me 💖 If you can’t help please b00st! https://t.co/Cc4Giuz4AH
— ᏔᏬᏗ / Ari (@saintcaffeinate) November 25, 2021
unable to be home right now /: my family needs assistance w a vehicle payment. $300 is a goal we have if any allies could assist. thank you & happy holidays!
Cashapp: $onnabegay
Venmo: @/Onna-Begayhttps://t.co/5OLZFbZecO— o n n a (@paperasdzaa) November 25, 2021
Hello! Is anyone willing to donate 30$ I need to get my daughter some formula and I don’t want to use rent money. Ahéhee
C-$tdbutler21
V- Tristen-Butler-1#NativeAmericanHeritageDay— 🌻 (@sunflwerbesitos) November 26, 2021
Hi. Raising funds & throwing my shot out there in asking for help w/my love for weaving. Single mom means single income means funds go to bills.
Help Auntie 🙋🏽♀️weave. 🙂
Donate if you can, RT/Share plz.
Tʼáá íiyisíí ahéheeʼ, TY💕 #settlersaturday https://t.co/u8Hv2Oj9vr— MizCandice (@mizcandice) November 23, 2021
You don’t have to wait until this time of year.
This is a time of year when we’re all thinking about giving, but don’t let this be the only time of year you attempt to make reparations. Look for these giving opportunities all year long.