10/14/2025
✍🏻This was beautifully penned by our very own Brittny Allard. She is a gift to so many🪶ConnectUs Therapy is again reminded of how lucky we are to have her🧡🩵
“It’s taken a minute to put my thoughts into words. I don’t seek out divisive content. Truly, I do not. However, I’ve been so disheartened and honestly, angry to see the numerous negative reactions toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The posts, reactions, and comments were so glaringly apparent across numerous platforms and accounts that I couldn’t avoid it if I tried.
Being fairly light skinned, I’ve wandered between two worlds for as long as I can remember, recognizing and celebrating all parts of who I am. I’ve never once been treated negatively for “being Norwegian”. However, I vividly remember the first time a peer directly referred to me as an Indigenous slur and how deeply confusing and hurtful that was. I recall many of the numerous instances since then, as well.
These experiences stick with people. They form a sense of shame, guilt, self-doubt - a feeling that “there must be something wrong with me” (as if Indigenous communities aren’t already grappling with navigating generations of grief and trauma). The constant exposure to these messages is incredibly detrimental, chipping away at physical, emotional, and cultural wellbeing and culminating in feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness. This cycle prevails and reflects anger, anxiety, depression, substance use, and beyond.
“You must be the change you want to see.” If you genuinely want to see improved wellbeing amongst Indigenous communities, one of the easiest ways to contribute is to be an uplifting, supportive voice. Or at the very least, keep your negative comments to yourself.
If you’ve read this far, I encourage you to do some factual research and educate yourself on Indigenous peoples throughout Turtle Island and across the world. There truly is such a rich history, even right here in North Dakota.”
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