Mending the Sacred Hoop

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

I am looking forward to a full week with our colleagues and meeting with our elected officials. Change begins with each of us. We are working tirelessly to educate our policy makers for meaningful change. Safety and Justice.

06/02/2026

I look forward to a full week ahead. I appreciate the chance to work with such skilled colleagues. I look forward to meeting with congressional leaders and government officials this week and a special shout out to Violence Free MN for their hard work for this week!

05/31/2026

05/14/2026

05/10/2026

Smithsonian Voices
Dennis Zotigh
May 8, 2020
Family traditions for many of us are different. The concept of Mother Earth symbolizes the highest respect Native peoples have for the planet we all share today. Native ancestral knowledge emphasizes that all life is sacred. Women especially are considered sacred in Native philosophies as they are the givers of life. Without them, humankind cannot replenish itself. Their power is strong and respected. Mothers care for children and teach them the ways they should walk on their life’s journey.
One of the first sounds a child hears in the womb is mother’s heartbeat. Tribal ceremonies and powwows often equate the heartbeat to the beat of a drum. In some tribes, the drum was given to their people by a woman. Many tribes are matrilineal and adhere to female leadership, advice, and kinship.
Each tribe or First Nation has its own word for mother, for example:
Ina (Dakota)
E tsi (Cherokee)
Shimá (Navajo)
Nimaamaa (Ojibway)
T’daw t’daw (Kiowa)
Neinoo (Arapaho)
Ishki (Choctaw)
Ka’nisténhsera (Mohawk)
In many Native circles, every day is mother’s day. But in 1911, President Woodrow Wilson signed an executive order that gave Mother’s Day special prominence for all Americans. Three years later, Wilson lobbied Congress to set aside the second Sunday of May to remember, honor, and thank our mothers. Native communities responded with special events such as powwows, ceremonies, rodeos, feasts, and songs that honor Native mothers.
We asked Native people to share how they celebrate Mother’s Day. Recognizing that family traditions will be different for many of us. We ask our Native friends from across the United States and Canada share your thoughts on Mother’s Day with us.

In the early 20th century, Native people responded to the proclamation of Mother’s Day with powwows, ceremonies, rodeos, feasts, and songs that honor Native mothers. How do American Indians celebrate today? Recognizing that family traditions for many of us will be different this year, Native frien...

05/06/2026

Mending the Sacred Hoop participated in the Missing and Murdered event at the Shooting Star Casino on May 5th 2026. The day opened up with a song by Lacy Armstrong. Andrea Carrier, who works for the White Earth Dove program, did an amazing job facilitating the event. The solidarity shawls were worn, and a couple of armbands worn by the community were placed at the table to honor the shawls and the women who are missing and murdered.

Great job, White Earth. Other staff participated in Duluth and Mill Lacs; more pictures will be uploaded soon.

04/30/2026

Mending the Sacred Hoop spent the evening with the Fond du Lac Human Services for their Sexual Assault Awareness Month event. The event included a presentation by a SANE nurse examiner that explained the exam process. Fond du Lac Human Services provided information about available resources for survivors, and Robin shared a painting activity with the community.

MSH staff shared teachings on why we wear armbands, "Naabinikebizon," and provided space to make one.

The colors replicate the solidarity shawls worn at conferences, powwows, and healing spaces, and the armbands were created for our menfolk to engage in honor songs and stand in solidarity with the women and children to regain respect and balance within our communities.

The Teal color represents Sexual Assault Awareness.

The Purple represents Domestic Violence Awareness.

The Red represents our MMIWR Awareness.