(Art pictured above by Alanah Jewell)

Nourish Beauty operates on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen and Songhees people, and we acknowledge how grateful we are to live here. In light of recent events and rediscoveries, Nourish Beauty openly stands in solidarity with all Indigenous Canadians today and always.

I wear orange today to reflect my solidarity, and I have chosen to step back and observe this holiday. I acknowledge my privilege as a settler on these lands and my responsibility for the necessary reconciliation with Indigenous communities. 

While there are many meaningful ways we can do our part as settlers on the unceded lands we reside on, one of the most powerful things we can do is educate ourselves, our children, friends, and families. 

After sharing meaningful posts on Instagram and Facebook, some of you may be wondering, what else can we do to support and amplify Indigenous folks in our community? I compiled a list of things settlers can do today and many years in the future.

• Supporting Indigenous-owned businesses - A great way to directly support Indigenous people is to choose Indigenous-owned businesses. No matter what type of product you are seeking out, choosing a company that will support Indigenous individuals and families is an awesome way to show your support. If you are non-Indigenous, make sure you are selecting ally-friendly options. If you are unsure, just ask! Here are a few of my ally-friendly recommendations:

Art: Morning Star Designs by Alanah Jewell, Luke Swinson, Art by Breanna Deis

Clothing: B.Yellowtail, bäre activewear

Jewelry: Art by Breanna Deis, Assinewe Jewelry, Cheyanne Symone, Second Aura

Beauty/skincare/body care: Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics, Sister Sky, Yukon Soaps, Skwalwen Botanticals, Quw’utsun’ Made

 

• Education yourselves and acknowledge the traditional land - There are many ways to educate ourselves about the land and the history/reality of the people whose lands we reside on. If you don't know about the Indigenous land you live on, check out Native Land to find out! This website gives you access to learn more about the traditional lands you reside on and the people that have lived there for thousands of years. There are also many books and documentaries available to us that can teach us about the reality of Canadian Residential schools. I have yet to delve into my own reading and watching about this topic, but I did recently watch Anne With an E on Netflix which featured a few episodes that portrayed the devastation of Residential schools in Canada quite well in my opinion. I highly recommend this show.

• Wear orange today and donate the money you would have spent on decorations/fireworks/beverages - According to a fact-checked website, most Canadians spend around $91 for Canada Day, whether on decorations, food, fireworks or beverages. Choose to donate the money you would have spent to an organization that supports the Indigenous community. Any amount helps. Here are a few I found:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Orange Shirt Society

Legacy of Hope

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society

 

• Sign petitions - If you cannot donate at this time, signing petitions is another significant way to show up for the people in your community. Here are a number that I signed:

Search all the schools petition

Call for a National Day of Mourning for the Lost Children of Residential Schools

Call on John Horgan to Check Every Residential School in BC

National Inquiry into deaths at Canada's Indian Residential Schools

 

• Use your voice to amplify Indigenous voices and include trigger warnings - While amplifying and sharing things on social media is so important and meaningful, be aware of what you share and how it could affect those in our community. Remember to include trigger warnings when something could reinstate trauma for someone.

• Listen and learn from Indigenous individuals - Their voices and heritage have been silenced for so long, and it's time to change this. Follow these amazing Indigenous individuals on Instagram to learn and listen:

Nikita Elyse @nikitaelyse

Shina Nova @shinanova

James Jones @notoriouscree

Shayla Oulette Stonechild @shayla0h

 

I hope this post has been helpful to you, and I hope you join me and many others wearing orange today. 

 

Thank you to Alanah Jewell from Morning Star Designs for allowing us to use her beautiful art for this post!