Page 14 - An Intersectional Exploration of Disabled and Native Identities

Uprooting Oppression:

Achieving Justice for

Native, Disabled

& All Oppressed People

The San Manuel chair woman’s statement indicates the shared

perspective of Native worldviews and Disabled culture, as well as
a commitment to solidarity. This sentiment is that, rather than

individual, we are a collective. Our lives, abilities, and balance in
the world depend on our ability to unite in solidarity against the

forces against our survival and towards a better, more sustainable
experience. Locating the roots of Disabled oppression and the

oppression of AI/AN peoples and communities in Eurocentrist
thought, while recognizing that the oppressions of both identities

intersect with and reify one another, I believe that we can not only

progress the circumstances of Native & Disabled lives, Native
lives, and Disabled Lives.

A perspective which incorporates and combines the ideals
presented by traditionally-held worldviews of First Nations

people and the lived knowledges of Disabled experience has

immense transformative power. And justice for all people
everywhere is the end goal, which presents a paradox, since total

justice is a long way off. This means justice can only be a verb, a
process. If society can break down Eurocentric mythologies and

motivations, value Disabled lives, and incorporate a diversity of
worldviews, we might be more compassionate and our journey

more fruitful, travelling together on our way to the Holy place,

the sacred space, the collective experience.