Items
Contributor is exactly
Robin Keagle
-
2021-04-07Indigenous Peoples and Vaccines
“The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses a grave health threat to Indigenous peoples around the world. Indigenous communities already experience poor access to healthcare, significantly higher rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases, lack of access to essential services, sanitation, and other key preventive measures, such as clean water, soap, disinfectant, etc.” -
2020-05-19Anishinaabe Pandemic Prophecies by Isaac Murdoch
From the Yellowhead Institute’s website: “As we collectively grapple with this pandemic and supporting each other though it, the efforts of Yellowhead and our call for collaboration, along with Isaac Murdoch’s contributions a COVID-19 webinar hosted by Idle No More and Indigenous Climate Action, came together in a beautiful team effort to create this animated video. Murdoch, along with Travis Porter and Fallon Simard worked together to draw, animate and edit this message about Anishinaabe prophecy, knowledge and experience with pandemics.” -
2021-04-25Robin Keagle Internship Portfolio
For many reasons, The Journal of the Plague Year internship is the culmination of my graduate school experience. Other than my Public History Methodology course, my exposure to this field was quite limited. Now, this internship is prompting me to broaden my scope of professional interest and explore all that archival and preservation work has to offer. It is an exciting prospect that I look forward to pursuing soon. There are so many aspects that I enjoyed during my time with JOTPY. Although the curation experience I gained and the people I met tie at a close second, my favorite experience was identifying silences within the archive. I had no idea that within a year of reading Marisa J. Fuentes’s, Dispossessed Lives: Enslaved Women, Violence, and the Archive, I would be identifying an Indigenous silence within the JOTPY archive. Creating the collection, Indigenous Point of View, to combat this silence was a unique experience that I will never forget. I gained invaluable experience writing its Call for Submissions and Indigenous POV Press Release while critically thinking how to build the collection. I learned so much about resilience within Indigenous culture throughout North America and look forward to other ways to assist in Indigenous land sovereignty efforts and the demarginalization of this beautiful culture. As for other notable experiences, my time with JOTPY allowed me to practice thinking like a historian while curating, conducting oral histories, and co-creating a digital exhibit. Also, I was able to informally network with JOTPY leads during some of the weekly Town Hall meetings and observe planning sessions on marketing events such as the one-year anniversary of the archive. It was fascinating to participate in these conversations while getting to know JOTPY partners across the country. What an invaluable opportunity. Thank you to Dr. Mark Tebeau, who quickly responded to my email expressing interest in the internship. Also, an enthusiastic thank you to Dr. Kole. Not knowing what to expect when I started with JOTPY, I wondered how much the interns would work together. However, her peer-review assignments and her encouragement for intern collaboration created many opportunities to connect. Her method of facilitation was succinct, fun, and fostered so much collaboration within my cohort. Enduring the COVID-19 pandemic with fellow interns across North America made these first four months of 2021 so much more bearable. We shared a moment in history in a way that the majority of the world never will. I leave this unique internship with valuable new archival skills that I am confident will serve me well. I move forward with more historical tools in my toolbelt, new professional connections, and new friends. A great way to conclude indeed. -
2021-04-12‘I want to show the pride’: photo essay of the Two Spirit Indigenous people
Two-Spirit, the term used to describe LGBTQ Indigenous, are fighting to be recognized amongst their own people. Although Indigenous, they claim their sacred circle was broken when colonizers landed on their soil and are now viewed upon with pity. Fighting to regain equal rights, the Two-Spirit community refuses to be marginalized. They work to convince other South Dakota tribes to legalize same-sex marriage and pass LGBTQ hate crime legislation. Two-Spirit member, Monique Mousseau stated, “Our younger generation needs to be acknowledged for who they are. It’s important for them to know that they are who they are and that it’s OK,” Mousseau says. “It’s time to acknowledge we have always been here, and we will always be here.” -
2021-04-17Represent like Elvin Fourfeathers!
This photo was posted on the Social Distance Powwow Facebook page. Fourfeathers’s face seems to hold a thought captive. Was he going to say something to the photographer? What is he thinking? Would I even understand as a non-Indigenous person? What do the different pieces of regalia represent? Did the photographer take this pre-pandemic but posted now lamenting the loss of tribal gatherings? So many questions to such a beautiful photograph. You keep on representing Elvin. Teach us all. -
2021-04-18"Kimberly in Red" by Indigenous Artist Nayana Lafond
Indigenous artist, Nayana Lafond, painted this piece as part of the Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG) exhibition. The exhibit was designed to advocate for these missing women and to stop the violence against Indigenous women. On her website, Lafond features "Kimberly in Red" with the following description, "Kimberly LaRouge, Ojibwe from Lac Courte Oreilles Wisconsin. Mother, grand mother, motorcycle racer, traditional jingle dancer and badass." I would encourage everyone to visit Lafond's website and view her powerful and emotional art pieces. -
2021-04-14Social Distance Powwow - Prayers for All Nations
Social Distance Powwow is a Facebook page created so Indigenous Peoples can virtually powwow together. Bear Cadman, a member of Dine Nation, submitted this photo of him and wrote "Prayers for all nations. Prayers for peace and healing. Love will win. Prayers for all of you the 5 finger nation." -
2021-04-18Social Distance Powwow - Native Pride
Native Alec BigCanoe posted a photo of himself wearing his father's regalia on the Social Distance Powwow Facebook page. He looks forward to powwows starting again. -
2021-04-01The ‘slow-motion’ genocide’ of the Chinook Indian Nation
The pandemic has exacerbated the Chinook’s lack of the kind of social safety net recognized tribes possess. While the COVID-19 mortality rate of Indigenous people is almost 2.5 times that of white people, unrecognized tribes have not received any of the $8 billion in government aid passed by Congress last spring. Nor have they received priority for tests or vaccines. Instead, they have to rely on neighboring tribes like the Grand Ronde and the Shoalwater Bay Tribe to vaccinate their elder knowledge-keepers. Chinook tribal members sometimes refer to the lack of recognition as slow-motion genocide. “Explain how it’s not genocide,” Johnson said to me. “Someone explain to me how it’s not.” -
2021-03-16Indian Country and Beyond Celebrates U.S. Representative Deb Haaland’s Confirmation as New Secretary of the Interior
In a historic first, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Debra Haaland (D-N.M.) on March 15, 2021, as President Biden’s secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, making the second-term Democrat the first ever Native American to be a member of a White House Cabinet in U.S. History. In this role, Secretary Haaland, an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo, will oversee 70,000 employees and the country’s natural resources. The Department manages nearly 500 million acres of land, and notably, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. -
2021-03-23NDN Collective Releases Statement on Updates to Cases of Land Defenders Arrested at Mt. Rushmore
Last summer, 21 Indigenous people and allies, including Nick Tilsen, the president and CEO of NDN Collective, were met with force from the state police and arrested for protesting Trump’s rally at Mt. Rushmore. Though Trump and his group were violating multiple treaties with their presence, including one through the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Land Defenders faced multiple charges. Tilsen himself was facing a felony and up to 17 years in prison. Today, NDN Collective announced that the charges for Tilsen and all other activists arrested on July 3 will be dropped. This announcement comes after months of political pressure from grassroots groups, including petitions, social media campaigns, and local and national media coverage of the cases. -
2021-04-07POL COVID-19 Update: Possible UK Variant in Pueblo of Laguna
Both vaccine makers, Pfizer and Moderna, have tested the effectiveness of their vaccines against the UK variant and tests are showing the vaccines are effective against this strain. The POL EOC strongly encourages that we all take individual responsibility to get vaccinated to protect ourselves and our children who are still not able to receive the vaccine. The virus still has a hold of us and is putting our community at risk so we must continue to remain vigilant. -
2021-04-10Stay-At-Home Order Reinstated for Navajo Nation Residents
The Navajo Nation has reinstated the “Stay-At-Home” order due to an increase of Covid-19 cases. Two weeks ago, there was one day with zero reported cases. On Friday, there were 26 reported new Covid-19 cases. -
2020-06-19DACA On The COVID-19 Ward: Yesenia's Story
My name is Yesenia, and I am a DACA recipient and a nurse. As of a few weeks ago, I have been a nurse primarily in the COVID-19 unit at my local hospital in Indiana, where I live. Since COVID-19 began, my world, along with everyone else's, has been flipped upside down. It is hard to express how much my job has changed since COVID-19. I knew when I went into critical care nursing that I would have unexpected situations at work. I never thought there would be a whole floor of uncertainties. It is really overwhelming when you know that you are not enough for what is to come. But you always try your best. -
2021-04-02Covid-19 Took a Toll on Our Elders, and With It: A Piece of Our Precious Culture
Tribes across North America are losing their Elders and possibly their oral histories to COVID-19. Indigenous Peoples, already faced with hardships such as poverty, medical resources, and food shortages, now endure the loss of these revered men and women. Although devastated by these hardships, the Pascua Yaqui tribe refuses to give up hope. They move forward continuing to celebrate their history and their people. -
2020-07-19Queen Charlotte Lodge Shows Complete Disregard to Haida Indigenous Peoples
QQueen Charlotte Lodge boats are filmed by Haida People racing through their waters and endangering traditional Haida fishing practices. When confronted by a Haida man, a QCL fishing boat captain informs them that these Indigenous People do not hold sovereignty over Haida Gwaii and further, accuses them of not managing their island properly. This is quite the irony considering the Haida have lived on this island for at least 6,000 years. -
2020-07-17Haida Woman Tells Queen Charlotte Lodge They Do Not Have Consent to Continue Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Haida woman Leeann Brown, reminds Queen Charlotte Lodge that they are not welcome on Haida Gwaii island during the pandemic. Many of the lodge’s boats are venturing too close to Haida fishing nets and traps which threatens their food supply. With such disregard to health of the Indigenous on the island, Brown explains how the Haida show their disagreement with lodge operations and reminds them that this land is sovereign to Haida Gwaii. -
2020-07-20G̱aandlee Guu Jaalang take precautionary measures to ensure safety from COVID 19
G̱aandlee Guu Jaalang take precautionary measures to ensure safety from COVID 19. -
2020-07-10Queen Charlotte Lodge Endangering Indigenous Peoples of Haida Gwaii
The Haida are at risk for Covid-19 exposure by Queen Charlotte Lodge and West Coast Fishing Club, both of which reopened without Haida consent. -
2020-07-10Haida Matriarchs Occupy Ancient Villages to Protect Against Covid-19
Eight to 95 percent of the Haida people were wiped out by the smallpox epidemic purposely introduced to Haida Gwaii to destroy our people. We plan to survive this pandemic at all cost. -
2020-11-16Mask Up the Right Way, Protect Your Elders You Will
This is a meme of Grogu (baby Yoda), created by Indigenous Rising Media, advising Indigenous communities to wear their masks properly in order to protect their elders. -
2021-03-31First Indigenous Person Confirmed as the Secretary of the Interior
Deb Haaland made history as the first Indigenous woman to head the Department of Interior. This is a watershed moment as this department is responsible for the managing the relationship between the Indigenous Peoples and the United States. Haaland is a Laguna Pueblo from New Mexico. -
2021-03-31Indigenous Art
This is a mural painted by Indigenous artist, Ivan Lee. -
2021-03-05In Native America, the National COVID-19 emergency has hit us hard
This article describes the incredible losses the Native gaming industry has sustained due to the pandemic. -
2021-03-07In numbers: Tracking COVID-19 Across the Navajo Nation
This article reports the latest Navajo Nation pandemic statistics including the number of new cases per day and percent of Indigenous Peoples who have received the COVID-19 vaccinations. -
2020-04-04Mural by Navajo graffiti artist, Ivan Lee
This photo is included as part of an article about the Navajo Nation's fight against COVID-19. -
02/21/2021Paul Keagle Oral History, 2021/02/21
This is a mini oral history with my husband, Paul Keagle, regarding silver linings during the pandemic. -
02/21/2021Jack Wick Oral History, 2021/02/21
This is a mini oral history interview with my father, Jack Wick, regarding silver linings during the pandemic. -
2020-05-04New Mexico Invokes Riot Law to Control Virus Near Navajo Nation
This article discusses the use of a rarely used Riot Law Act to help diminish the tension between the Navajo reservation and the small towns bordering the reservation in Gallup, New Mexico. The upsurge in cases on the reservation resulted in accusations that the Navajo brought the virus into Gallup and its suburbs. The tribe has fired back that Gallup citizens are refusing to follow social distancing mandates and as a result, Gallup has one of the highest case rates in the nation. This report relates to the JOTPY archive as it an example of the friction COVID-19 has created between the local government and tribal reservations. -
2020-09-29Pandemic Highlights Deep-Rooted Problems in Indian Health Service
This article illuminates the lack of resources the Indian Health Service (IHS) received from the government to treat its tribal members who contract COVID-19. The IHS blames the Federal government and both current and past presidential administrations for creating the massive deficiencies in ventilators, PPE, hospital beds, and funding for government-run hospitals. This piece provides an example of how COVID-19 highlights the continued healthcare inequalities between non-tribal and tribal communities, thus making it important to contribute to the JOTPY archive. -
2021-01-04Fast Rollout of Virus Vaccine Trials Reveals Tribal Distrust
This article discusses why the Navajo Nation is hesitant to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine trials. Although Navajo leaders approved members to participate in the trial, tribal members have expressed extreme hesitation due to lack of informed consent in past experimental trials or the unethical use of tribal medical samples for other experiments. It is important to include this piece in the JOTPY archive as it documents a COVID-19 example of the distrust tribes have held towards the government since the colonization of their lands over the past several centuries. -
2021-02-05114 new cases, 15,067 recoveries, and six more deaths related to COVID-19
The Navajo Department Health shared its latest data regarding positive cases, deaths, and recoveries. It reminds its members to continue avoiding large gatherings including the upcoming Super Bowl in order to prevent an upsurge in cases. It also gives drive-thru vaccination locations for its Navajo communities and thanks its healthcare workers, working long hours vaccinating tribal members. These stories are important archival items that highlight what measures the Navajo Nation are using to protect its people. -
2020-05-15German cafe tells customers to wear pool noodles to enforce social distancing
I love that this German café found a way to inject some humor into social distancing. It is absolutely hysterical and provides much needed levity during this stressful time for so many. Of course, my brain immediately went to wondering if the café re-uses those hats. Although customers may not catch COVID-19, they could catch lice. Eeeek! -
2019-08-07The “Greatest Pandemic in History” Was 100 Years Ago – But Many of Us Still Get the Basic Facts Wrong
This article was published on August 7, 2019 just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. The author’s intention was to share facts about the Spanish Flu so that we can be better prepared in case a similar catastrophic event occurs again. The similarities between Spanish Flu and the current pandemic cannot easily be ignored. It makes one wonder what will be said about COVID-19 100 years from now? -
2020-03-27Social Distancing and Quarantine Were Used in Medieval Times to Fight the Black Death
A medieval Italian legislation document, dating from 1377, reveals that social distancing and quarantine measures were practiced during the bubonic plague. The article describes what measures seaport towns took to screen and isolate ships before their goods and crews could enter these populations Also, it discusses the advent of plague hospitals, how the word quarantine came to be, and 14th century public health structure. As far as medicine and technology has advanced over the centuries, we are still using some of the same practices that were used seven centuries ago. It illustrates how much we can still learn from the past. -
2021-01-17
What are Some of My Pandemic Hacks?
If I had to recommend some pandemic hacks for people 100 years in the future, I would say: -Stock up on sweatpants, hoodies, and fuzzy socks! Since you will more than likely be working from home, comfort is a must. -Set your Zoom video setting Touch Up Your Appearance to 100%. It will compensate for not wearing makeup on Zoom calls. -Stop watching the news. It will only stress you out. Your friends and family will definitely be updating you anyway on the latest stories. -Edit your social media to avoid the negative nellies, conspiracy theorists, and political debates. -Create a weekly dinner menu and schedule grocery deliveries once a week. So much better than going to the grocery store. -Go on regular walks to get out of the house and get some fresh air. -Read books with a cup of steaming hot tea next to you while bundling up in a soft blanket. -Forgive yourself for gaining quarantine weight! -Naps. Take a lot of naps! -
2020-01-17
My Five Favorite Things That Have Helped Me Cope During the Pandemic
Although the pandemic has been rough, there are several activities that help keep me sane during our time at home. We all have to make the best of it, right? The following are five things we did to make the best of this crazy time: 1. We Facetime'd with our children and grandchildren two to three times weekly. Nana and Papa quickly got into a fun routine to help virtually put the granddaughters to bed. 2. We established Friday afternoon Zoom happy hours with friends. It turned out to be way more fun than we anticipated. 3. My husband I found some great Netflix shows that we binge watched together. 4. We took advantage of our extra free time to cook and eat together as family almost every night rather than a couple of nights a week due to busy schedules. 5. We love how restaurants and other establishments who previously did not deliver started using DoorDash. My family has definitely taken advantage of Baskin Robbins ice cream deliveries! This past year has definitely been an interesting and probably much needed social experiment for our family! -
2021-01-17
An Unusually Quiet Holiday Season
Our family holidays consist of fun get togethers full of traditions we enjoy. Thanksgiving is loud, full of chaos and laughter. Christmas means the entire family at my house. We make a ton of food, eat, and open presents, have a Secret Santa and white elephant exchanges, which again are fun, loud and chaotic. At the end of the night we take a huge family selfie in front of the tree. This year it was just my husband, daughter and myself, no siblings, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, or great grandchildren. We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves after we opened presents so we watched movies all day then ate leftovers for dinner. My parents spent it alone for the first time since 1964. They were sad but they enjoyed reminiscing about their first Christmas as newlyweds. Although it was still a nice day, it wasn't the same. Once more, it reminded me never to take seeing family for granted. It is a precious gift. I hope and pray that this will be the only year we deviate from our family traditions.