American Indian Women

At the National Action Center, in Washington, DC, we’ve joined cities and states across the nation observing Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. Columbus Day commemorates the so-called “discovery” of land already inhabited by native people. We’re proud to instead celebrate the lives of indigenous people, who have endured oppression and discrimination since Columbus first sailed across the Atlantic Ocean.

Today, I hope you’ll take a minute to reflect on just how far native people still need to go to achieve equality–especially women:

• The wage gap is enormous. Native women are paid just 57 cents for every dollar paid to their white, male counterparts.
• The threat of sexual violence is staggering. More than half of native women are sexually assaulted during their lifetime.

I hope you’ll take a minute to take action, too–even if it’s just by starting a conversation with a friend or a neighbor.

American Indian and other indigenous women are leading feminist change in their communities every day; but just as often, they are left out of serious discussions about policy change.

That needs to end now. Feminists know that we can’t separate our gender and racial identities–and that we’ll never move forward if we don’t work together.

Gilda Yazzie

For indigenous women’s lives,

Gilda Yazzie
Vice President