Thread by @KaitlinCurtice

I want to re-visit what happened at Baylor University a few months back, because at the end of this thread I'm sharing an important opportunity for you to support Indigenous peoples during this difficult time.

So, where did #MotherMystery come from?

I was asked to speak at Baylor's chapel, and we agreed that I'd speak on Decolonizing Spirituality. I spoke on the origins of our nation, the dehumanization of Indigenous peoples & women in the church, and why decolonization is an invitation.

I read from both of my books.

A student interrupted my first talk two different times when I was speaking about women. After my talk was over, two students started reciting the pledge at me.

After my talks, a group of conservative young men issued a statement about how I shouldn't have been invited.

Literally the day after my talk, back at home, a local Waco news station asked for my statement about what happened. They interviewed the young men who said I prayed to "Mother Mystery" and talked to water.

1. I didn't use Mother Mystery
2. I totally talk to water

I never engaged with those students. I did ask Baylor to issue a public apology, which they never did. I endured online harassment and anti-Native slurs on all of my social media accounts.

Baylor chose to protect their white supremacy over an invited Indigenous speaker.

I endured days of no sleep and my body was exhausted. I chose not to issue a public statement as numerous articles were written about me and what happened.

And so, so many of you showed up to support me.
You pre-ordered my book and shared my work.
You held me up.

I decided that Mother Mystery was exactly what so many of us needed, and I wrote a few prayers and poems to her.

She opened me up to her love and kindness, and I remembered that I am not alone, and that we hold a bigger vision of Creator, Mystery, God than that institution does.

Then, @JakeDockter asked if he could design some #MotherMystery items to support me, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do:

donate the money to Indigenous organizations.

teespring.com/stores/mother-…

Originally, the money was going to @HonorTheEarth and @CRSHColonialism. Today I am adding a gofundme that is getting PPE to the Navajo nation during COVID.

Please order some merch, and support Native organizations who are doing good work.

It is nothing new that white supremacy is protected over Indigenous lives. It is nothing new that BIPOC are devalued and attacked for speaking the truth.

What I want to do, constantly, is turn hate into creative love, and that's exactly what these #MotherMystery items do.

I am wearing my shirt today, and every time I do, I remember that Mystery is wider and deeper than we could ever imagine.

The only way we become more loving people is to accept that, even when we can't understand it.

In my new book, #NativeBook, I write:
The problem isn’t that we search for truth; the problem is that we become obsessed with our belief that we hold the truth, and we destroy entire cultures in the process.

Embracing #MotherMystery means we embrace belonging.

So please, please order a few items. Wear them and remember that belonging is holy and for everyone. Wear it and hold holy space against systems of white supremacy.

teespring.com/stores/mother-…