You and Simon are my favorites on the John Fugelsang podcast. You are both so incredibly literate about indigenous culture. I have learned so much listening to you and Simon. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences.
Damn Julie, you are hitting me in all the feels with your writing. My grandfather (who raised me along with my maternal grandmother) died in 1979 at the young age of 61 (I’m almost there!) from smoking related cancer. I was only 12, and it was a life changing event. He had a 2-3 pack a day habit, and I’ve always HATED tobacco/smoking because of it. I look back on photos now and realized how much it aged him - he looked like he was at least 80.
This is a fascinating history, which I never knew. Thank you so much for sharing it - this absolutely shifts my thinking.
Thank you for sharing, Julie. I'm so happy you're here.
These stories are so important for the rest of us to understand. I think about Native Indigenous communities so much during this time of extreme injustice we're all facing. The more I grapple with it, the more I believe that the biggest injustice is the erasure of your Peoples. As a black woman, I see (and experience) injustice often. And though there is no competition, the more I listen to your stories, the more I read, the more I learn about the history of your People -- I believe that Indigenous Peoples bear the brunt of injustice on an even deeper level than most of us have experienced or can even comprehend. The erasure, in my eyes, is the greatest erasure anyone has seen or witnessed.
More often, I think about what this country would be like had it not been colonized by European terrorists (frankly). I think about what it would look like, and I imagine a much more accepting, loving, peaceful, environmentally friendly, spiritual, sacred, comforting place. There is so much we can learn from you, and I know that your voice will continue to raise awareness and understanding to teach us (though it's not your job - it is so appreciated) how we can uplift your memories, traditions, and practices. We can all benefit from learning and applying them ourselves.
Thank you for this information. I’ve been reading Richard Wagamese’s book “One Drum” that provides information about the ceremonial use of tobacco. Your writing helped answer questions I still had and provided additional resources.
Thank you so much for sharing that, and for reading One Drum. Richard Wagamese’s work carries such heart and wisdom, and it’s beautiful to hear that his words and mine could walk alongside each other in your learning journey. I’m happy the piece helped fill in some of the gaps and offered you more to explore. These teachings are deep and layered, and it means a lot to know the writing resonated. Please feel free to reach out at any time if you have further questions. I'm always honored to be part of that circle of learning.
Dear Julie,
You and Simon are my favorites on the John Fugelsang podcast. You are both so incredibly literate about indigenous culture. I have learned so much listening to you and Simon. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences.
Sincerely
Keith Olson
Ditto, Keith!
Keith! Thank you so much for listening and for sharing those warm thoughts. Truly appreciate you.
Me too!
Damn Julie, you are hitting me in all the feels with your writing. My grandfather (who raised me along with my maternal grandmother) died in 1979 at the young age of 61 (I’m almost there!) from smoking related cancer. I was only 12, and it was a life changing event. He had a 2-3 pack a day habit, and I’ve always HATED tobacco/smoking because of it. I look back on photos now and realized how much it aged him - he looked like he was at least 80.
This is a fascinating history, which I never knew. Thank you so much for sharing it - this absolutely shifts my thinking.
Thank you for sharing, Julie. I'm so happy you're here.
These stories are so important for the rest of us to understand. I think about Native Indigenous communities so much during this time of extreme injustice we're all facing. The more I grapple with it, the more I believe that the biggest injustice is the erasure of your Peoples. As a black woman, I see (and experience) injustice often. And though there is no competition, the more I listen to your stories, the more I read, the more I learn about the history of your People -- I believe that Indigenous Peoples bear the brunt of injustice on an even deeper level than most of us have experienced or can even comprehend. The erasure, in my eyes, is the greatest erasure anyone has seen or witnessed.
More often, I think about what this country would be like had it not been colonized by European terrorists (frankly). I think about what it would look like, and I imagine a much more accepting, loving, peaceful, environmentally friendly, spiritual, sacred, comforting place. There is so much we can learn from you, and I know that your voice will continue to raise awareness and understanding to teach us (though it's not your job - it is so appreciated) how we can uplift your memories, traditions, and practices. We can all benefit from learning and applying them ourselves.
Thank you so much, Natasha !!
Thank you!
Thank you for this information. I’ve been reading Richard Wagamese’s book “One Drum” that provides information about the ceremonial use of tobacco. Your writing helped answer questions I still had and provided additional resources.
Thank you so much for sharing that, and for reading One Drum. Richard Wagamese’s work carries such heart and wisdom, and it’s beautiful to hear that his words and mine could walk alongside each other in your learning journey. I’m happy the piece helped fill in some of the gaps and offered you more to explore. These teachings are deep and layered, and it means a lot to know the writing resonated. Please feel free to reach out at any time if you have further questions. I'm always honored to be part of that circle of learning.