There is nothing that will ever undo the harm and bring justice to the last 500 years of colonization and genocide of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. But that doesn’t mean anything cannot be done. Native people are still here and are still fighting for dignity and justice.

Here are some organizations and decentralized causes that support decolonization, reparations, revitalizing culture and languages, and fighting for Indigenous sovereignty.

https://www.duwamishtribe.org/ — The Duwamish people are the original people of Seattle. This link gives education and has links for donating and supporting.

https://landback.org/ — A decentralized grassroots organization to “get Indigenous Lands back into Indigenous hands.”

https://www.missingandmurderedindigenouswomenwashington.org/ — A disproportional amount of indigenous women and two-spirit/queer people are missing or murdered without any justice or investigation.

https://mthg.org/ — The Quileute Tribe is seeking to relocate important buildings in the community due to the threat of the climate crisis.

https://narf.org/ — Native American Rights Fund. Donate to keep fight to protect rights and resources.

https://www.navajowaterproject.org/ — Water rights are human rights. This organization helps bring clean water access to the Navajo Nation.

https://www.realrentduwamish.org/ —Support the Duwamish to become federally recognized and support the culture’s revival.

https://tulaliplushootseed.com/ — A school in the Greater Seattle area working toward the restoration of the Lushootseed language spoken all throughout the Puget Sound.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Me3v2fdjIPBQVkzALHhge2K8q4bCBe7cCBvVAZ11UQc/preview?pru=AAABfXik-Lo*MMeCSrjNQk_TJA1Bpqgsrw&pli=1 - Re-Thinking “Thanksgiving” Toolkit from the Indigenous Solidarity Network.

Black lives matter. Black joy matters.

The power and wealth of the western world was built off of stolen and enslaved peoples of the African continent. The very real violence of white supremacy and systemic oppression toward black people that started in 1619 — when the first enslaved peoples were brought to the Americas — has continued to into today. Black lives matter. Justice, equality, safety, investment, acknowledgement, atonement, change, and intolerance to the intolerant are required to address the centuries of atrocities forced on black people.

Here are links for education, organizations/causes, Black businesses, resources for POC, and Black joy and independence.

https://blacklivesseattle.org/ — Black Lives Matter Chapter in Seattle

https://www.feedthepeopleseattle.com/ — A Black-lead community kitchen

https://naacp.org/resources/reparations — A great overview of the importance and justification of reparations for Black people

https://www.naamnw.org/ — Northwest African American Museum’s mission is to spread knowledge, joy, and history of Black people.

https://www.seattlekingcountynaacp.org/ — The local NAACP chapter in King County

https://www.uwkc.org/what-we-do/committed-to-racial-equity/black-community-building-collective/ — An article that highlights 15 Black-lead organizations in King County working to build community

Mental Health

https://mentalhealthliberation.org/ — This initiative aims to provide free, quality therapy to BIPOC communities while empowering future Clinicians of Color. It focuses on dismantling systemic barriers through advocacy and activism, reclaiming healing for marginalized and displaced people of color.

https://www.blackinbusinesswa.com/therapist-counselors — A list of local black therapists in and around the Puget Sound

https://peprahcounseling.com/ — Kelvin Peprah is a local therapist who has provides a Black Men’s Support Group

https://www.peacebypiececounseling.com/ — Kiarra Hehn is an Afro-Indigenous therapist that specializes in complex and generational trauma

https://www.quantasginntherapy.com/ — Quantas Ginn is a local couples and sex therapist offering supervision and consultations

Crisis Resources for Young BIPOC can text "STEVE" to 741-741

People are inherently social creatures who have used cooperation to better each other throughout our shared history. We all have skills and goods that we can use to support each other to build strong, sufficient communities. We have a collective responsibility to each other.

https://linktr.ee/barterup — A bartering group based out of TN that is spearheading this generational change for mutual aid and bartering

https://buynothingproject.org/ — Buy Nothing Project are small local groups based on location that give away or ask for items for free.

https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/programs/ecoconsumer/repair-libraries — Tool Libraries are places to check out and borrow tools and equipment for various projects and needs. Some chapters can also do minor repairs and offer workshop spaces. Does require a subscription on a monthly (20$) or yearly (60$) or lifetime base at very but does offer sliding scale (as low as 7$).

https://linktr.ee/MutualAidSeattle — A wonderful master list of mutual aid in Seattle

https://www.solid-ground.org/what-we-love-about-mutual-aid/#resources — A list of groups in the Seattle area collected by Solid Ground.

Social Services

https://www.achdo.org/delridgefarmersmarket — The African Community Housing & Development group have created a farmers market for BIPOC venders to sell their wares to the community for free, the market also offers groceries to those families in need, and to bring the community together.

https://nhwa.org/ —Social services that provide housing, health, education, and economic opportunity.

https://nwjustice.org/ — “Provides free legal assistance to address fundamental human needs such as housing, family safety, income security, health care, education, and more.”

https://www.rewa.org/ — A nonprofit that provides services to refugees and immigrant families.

https://www.seattlefoodcommittee.org/find-a-food-bank/ — Food banks in Seattle .

https://youngwomenempowered.org/ — A non-profit that support young women in their goals.

Gender and sexually diverse people have existed for all of history. Queerness is infinite and beyond the current framework definitions and boxes. A loud, powerful minority of people seek violence and the erasure of queer people. It can feel like a scary and helpless time. Community and resource building is an empowering way to combat this violence while creating positive connections.

https://www.lamberthouse.org/ — Is a center for the development of leadership, social, and life skills for LBGT+ youth.

https://genprideseattle.org/ — Organization for affordable housing project designed to be an affirming environment for LGBT+ seniors.

https://www.lavenderrightsproject.org/ — Organization that focuses intersectional legal and social services for Black gender diverse community.

https://transfamilies.org/ — Support for trans and gender diverse children and their support system.

https://transgenderlawcenter.org/ — Transgender Law Center works to change policies and laws to support LGBT+ communities.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ -Their mission is to end suicide among LGBT+ individuals. They offer crisis support, advocacy, research, and education

The rise of the internet has connected people on a global scale, yet so many seem to feel lonely and isolated more than ever. This is due to many factors, such as our free physical social spaces having been lost and moved online, having minimal time and energy outside of obligations, and having very little societal structures to support community. This, in combination with emphasizing productivity, deprioritizing social relationships, and anxiety from choice overload bias, has created a lonely life.

You might feel alone, but you are not. For those who want to dive into material on this subject, here are some books:

Marisa Franco, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make-and Keep-Friends

Hope Kelaher, Here to Make Friends: How to Make Friends as an Adult: Advice to Help You Expand Your Social Circle, Nurture Meaningful Relationships, and Build a Healthier, Happier Social Life

Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

Adam Poswolsky, Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist's Guide to Connection

Aminatou Sow, Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close

Christie Tate, BFF: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found

Modern problems require modern solutions. I hope to build a useful database of resources around common concerns where people feel powerless and don’t have the knowledge to make empowered choices.

Knowledge is power

https://dontcallthepolice.com/seattle/ — This website tries to create alternatives for when de-escalation and/or intervention can be used instead for issues such as: Housing, mental health crisis lines, Domestic violence, sexual assault, and youth support resources.

https://askjan.org/ — Job Accommodation Network offers free guidance on job accommodations and disabilities.

https://www.unconsentingmedia.org/ —Sexual violence is highly normalized. I often find people feel re-traumaized and stuck when sexual violence sudden appears in media. There can be shame related to this natural response to violence. This database helps empower people to make more informed choices on what they are consuming.

https://debtcollective.org/ — A debt collective union with roots in occupy Wallstreet. This group aims to use collective power to dismantle exploitative systems. They have campaigns centered around canceling student loan debt as well as resources for tenants.

https://uscpr.org/ — A collective centered around “freedom, justice, and equality” for the Palestine people. Offers steps and directions to utilize collective power.

While fighting violence, poverty, and systems of oppression are extremely important, so is joy, expression, and creation. Building up can happen at the same time as dismantling the bad. In a society that values productivity, infinite growth, and money, creativity and the arts are revolutionary and joyful:

https://artisttrust.org/resources/king-county-artist-serving-organizations/ — Has a list of over 30 organizations, foundations, and groups all around King county that center around a diverse range of arts.

https://www.cdforum.org/ — Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas empower black artists.

https://www.seattlecityoflit.org/ — A non profit company for literature in Seattle.

https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services — Public Libraries are huge underrated hubs for many programs and services as well as access to free books and education. The best way to support the services is by using it! Sign up for a library card and check it out.

Pat Allen, Art Is a Way of Knowing: A Guide to Self-Knowledge and Spiritual Fulfillment through Creativity.