NDN Collective Releases Position Paper on SCOTUS Overturning Roe v Wade

July 18, 2022

NDN Collective Releases Position Paper on SCOTUS Overturning Roe v Wade

“This paper is important because it was designed by our team to deeply explore the potential harmful and intersectional impacts the decision could have across our Indigenous communities. There are unique ways we must come together in power to protect our rights over our bodies and our rights to privacy."

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2022

Rapid City, SD – Today, in response to recent news that Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), NDN Collective released a position paper, The Effects of Overturning Roe v. Wade Through an Indigenous Lens: How Consent, Body Sovereignty, and Self-Determination are the Real Conversation, authored by various NDN Collective staff members across the organization.

The paper provides historical context for the myriad ways in which Indigenous people have had their consent violated through state violence for generations. It outlines the barriers Indigenous people – especially Indigenous LGBTQIA2S+ people – already face in accessing health care including abortion care, and calls for a legal system that ensures individuals have full control over decisions regarding their own bodies.

“We live in a country whose governmental values are rooted in theft and control and in our paper, we painfully spell out some of the impacts Indigenous people continue to face due to these immoral practices,” said Lycia Maddocks,  Political Director at NDN Collective. “From legal sterilization to centuries of rape and unsolved murder, disrespect for our bodies is not a new problem and is one reason why Indigenous people have the highest missing and murdered rates today. Our position is clear: when our right to choose is stolen, it paves the way for those in power to take more and minimize our personhood. This genocidal tactic has always been a top goal of white supremacy. We hope this information educates and empowers people to fight like hell so collectively, we can take back decision making over our bodies.”

“We knew this day would come in the current legal and social climates. We have been carefully preparing this position paper, with voices from across our organization weighing in and writing from places of truth, said Kim Pate, Vice President at NDN Collective. “This paper is important because it was designed by our team to deeply explore the potential harmful and intersectional impacts the decision could have across our Indigenous communities. There are unique ways we must come together in power to protect our rights over our bodies and our rights to privacy. The position paper is an important step towards this unity.”

“Indigenous Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ peoples have existed and were highly regarded in our tribal communities since time immemorial, and yet we continue to face colonial violence. This position paper not only outlines the ways in which this harm is perpetuated by the US government and judicial system, but also signifies the urgency for Tribal leaders to utilize their power to protect the rights of gender expansive Indigenous people through our rights to self-govern our Nations and honor our ancestors who fought for these protections pre-colonization, said Steph Viera, Social Media Manager at NDN Collective.

Read the Full Paper Here

Watch the position paper discussion live from Washington, D.C.

This LIVE discussion features NDN Political Director, Lycia Maddocks, NDN Vice President and Managing Director of NDN Fund, Kim Pate, NDN Social Media Manager, Steph Viera and NDN Senior Communications Associate, Brandi Douglas.

Watch live coverage of the We Won’t Back Down: Bans Off Our Bodies action in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

This livestream features coverage of the We Won’t Back Down: Bans Off Our Bodies action, occurring on July 19, 2022, in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The action demanded access to healthcare in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

###

NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building, and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.

Related Stories:

“NDN Collective Responds to Supreme Court Overturning Roe v. Wade”

TO REQUEST AN INTERVIEW CONTACT

CABOT PETOIA, CLPETOIA@GMAIL.COM

August 2023 Edition

Stay Informed. Take Action.

Subscribe to the NDN allies newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter. Delivered once per month.

We care about the protection of your data and would never sell your email or share it with anyone without your permission.

Call to Action: No $100,000 Oñate Statue Posted 2 days ago
Rio Arriba County in Northern New Mexico is spending more than $100,000 to move a statue of conquistador and colonizer, Juan de Oñate, out of storage to display it in front of their county offices. This is not about a statue; this is about the settler colonial system that allows racist politicians like Alex Naranjo to do as they please on stolen land.
NDN Collective Launches Indigenous Climate & Just Transition Fund Posted 1 week ago
“We urge philanthropic organizations to join us in this moment by resourcing the Indigenous communities who have proven solutions to repair our relationship with the Earth. The climate investments implemented over the next few years will set the groundwork for generations to come.”  
4 Fossil Fuel Projects that Harm Indigenous Communities Posted 2 weeks ago
We remain persistent in reminding the Biden Administration and those in power that our Indigenous communities and lands continue to face harm through extractive measures that directly contribute to the climate crisis.
‘A Stain of Injustice’: Hundreds Gather, 35 Arrested in front of White House Calling for Release of Leonard Peltier

Jordynn Paz

Posted 2 weeks ago
“We’re asking Biden for Executive Clemency. We will keep coming back to the White House and we’ll be pressuring all parts of the government until we see justice for Leonard Peltier and see him come back with his family, community and people.”
NYC: Indigenous Communities Mobilize, Call for No More Fossil Fuels Posted 2 weeks ago
“Shutting down all pipelines is critical to addressing the greatest injustices faced by Indigenous people – from our water being poisoned, to our women and Two-spirit relatives being murdered and disappeared by the underbelly of the temporary fossil fuel industry workforce. We will not rest until all fossil fuels have been replaced by sustainable solutions implemented by Indigenous communities.” 
Indigenous Leaders and Allies Arrested at White House Rally in Support of Clemency for Native American Activist Leonard Peltier Posted 2 weeks ago
On Peltier’s 79th birthday, organizer and actor Dallas Goldtooth, National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp, NDN Collective President Nick Tilsen, and Executive Director of Amnesty International USA Paul O’Brien among those arrested urging President Biden to release Peltier after nearly 50 years in prison
"I am still here": Leonard Peltier's Letter to Supporters Posted 2 weeks ago
"Year after year, I have encouraged you to live as spirit warriors. Even while in here, I can envision what is real and far beyond these walls.  I've seen a reawakening of an ancient Native pride that does my heart good. I may leave this place in a box. That is a cold truth. But I have put my heart and soul into making our world a better place and there is a lot of work left to do - I would like to get out and do it with you."
Reclaiming the Rivers: Indigenous Defiance and the Fish Wars

Miguel Douglas

Posted 3 weeks ago
“Our connection to the water sustained our cultural ways, and we deeply revered and respected the life of the water for what it gave us, even viewing it as its own community with which we had a reciprocal relationship. They are part of us and we are part of them. This understanding continues to this day.”
Good Vibes & School Supplies: NDN Collective and Partners Host 4th Annual Backpack Giveaway

Jordynn Paz

Posted 3 weeks ago
“This is what we’re about. We’re about community. We’re about bringing unity, bringing love, compassion and meeting the needs of our people. We are taking up the responsibility to roll up our sleeves and create a better way for our communities and for our people, to show what is possible. I think that’s what you’re seeing here today. This is the movement showing up for the community.”
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Proposes Rule Re: Fluid Mineral Leases & Leasing Process Posted 3 weeks ago
Given that the regulatory framework for oil and gas leasing has not been updated since 1988, we have in this proposed rule a rare opportunity to steer Federal policy toward respecting Indigenous sovereignty and preserving treaty lands.

United like never before, we rise together—arm in arm—to equip all Indigenous Peoples with the tools needed to become architects of our future. Through a holistic approach to infrastructure, funding, advocacy, movement building, and philanthropy we are fostering a world of justice and equity for all people and the planet.