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Aug 12 10 tweets 7 min read
Yes, the term “Esk*mo” is derogatory.

In being #GoodRelatives, we must respect all people when they tell us how they identify & not use outdated, inaccurate, or derogatory terminology. The Indigenous peoples of the Arctic have been clear about rejecting this term.

🧵👇🏾 Yes, the term “Esk*mo” is d...
The word “Esk*mo” is an offensive term that has been used historically to describe Inuit peoples throughout their homelands, Inuit Nunangat, in the arctic regions of Alaska, Greenland, and Canada, as well as the Yupik of Alaska and northeastern Russia, and the Inupiat of Alaska. Image
The use of “Esk*mo”, an exonym (a name given to a group of people by another group), and perpetuates harmful stereotypes of the Inuit as remote and politically insignificant, while also romanticizing the Arctic. Image
The origin of the word has been debated to mean “eaters of raw meat” or derive from “awassimew/ayassimew” in Innu-aimun which means “one who laces snowshoes,” which French explorers and settlers translated to the word toesquimaux, in Danish. Image
In 1980 the @IccInuit defined the Inuit as “Indigenous Inupiat, Yupik (Alaska), Inuit, Inuvialuit (Canada), Kalaallit (Greenland) and Yupik (Russia).”

In defining Inuit as such, they rejected the use of the term Esk*mo. Image
In 2020 @Dreyers announced they would change the name of their “Esk*mo Pie” ice cream bars.

"We are committed to being a part of the solution on racial equality, and recognize the term is derogatory," said Elizabell Marquez, head of marketing. Image
Also in 2020, after years of public outcry the The Edmonton Esk*mos a professional Canadian football team changed to the Elks (@ElkEdmonton). 🦌 Image
The real Inuit Kiss 💋❄️
Follow, support, and learn more from these Arctic Indigenous organizations: @Native_Mvmt @NPActionAlaska @aknwrc @NativeFed @FNDI303 @waterfirstngo @NWAC_CA @Indspire @ITK_CanadaInuit @CdnRoots @ArcticCouncil
Remember if you don’t know how to refer to someone, just ask them how they prefer to be identified. It’s better to ask than to assume.

#Respect #IndigenousPeoples #Inuit #Arctic #Yupik #Inupiat

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More from @IllumiNative

Jul 14, 2021
We are proud & honored to be a part of this journey w/ @NativeOrganizer, @The_NHM, House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation & Se'Si'Le.

We must #protectsacredplaces in danger of being destroyed by development, resource extraction, and vandalism. #RedRoad2DC
For the Lummi and many other Coast Salish tribes, orcas are considered to be their most revered relations. Their health indicates the health of the seas.

Dams on the Snake River have decimated the wild salmon population and threatened Northwest First Peoples way of life.
Ancient shrines, petroglyphs, and cultural artifacts have been destroyed in #BearsEars. Designating this sacred place as a National Monument will be the first step to ensure this place is protected in perpetuity.
Read 9 tweets
Jul 13, 2021
Today marks a major milestone in the Native-led campaign to end the use of Native mascots in sports.

After decades of advocacy from Native communities, & financial pressure from investors, the @WashingtonNFL team announced in July 2020 it would retire its racist name & mascot.
This week, new Washington Football Team President Jason Wright announced via the team’s blog that the new WFT branding would NOT use Native iconography, mascots, or imagery- including the name “Warriors.” This is a huge win for Native advocates.
The Washington Football Team isn’t the only team who has announced changes. In December 2020, the Cleveland @Indians announced they have decided to rebrand after the 2021 baseball season.
Read 7 tweets
May 31, 2021
We mourn for the 215 First Nations children that were found buried at the former Kamloops residential school this week. We are heartbroken and stand in solidarity with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation community.
This finding shows the importance for a truth & healing commission here in the U.S., to find our missing children. This is a human rights violation that the United States government has still not acknowledged or apologized for.
Over 130 Indian residential schools were identified through Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission - which culminated in 2015. The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition has identified approximately twice that number (367) in the United States...(cont.)
Read 5 tweets
Apr 12, 2021
We’ve watched the emotional testimony in the #Chauvintrial with sadness & anger. We know it’s been hard to watch for many people. As important as justice is, it is difficult to relive events like these—especially w/the police shooting of #DuanteWright in MN this weekend. Image
In a recent interview, Dr. @CornelWest said of the Chauvin trial: “Black humanity is on trial; you can’t prove your humanity to somebody. It’s not a logical deduction. It’s a moral perception and a spiritual communion.”
White supremacy has worked so hard for so long to dehumanize Black people, Native Americans, Hispanic and Latinx communities, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and poor people of every color in order to justify our exclusion and violence against us.
Read 5 tweets

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