Thread by @johnniejae

Okay, so here's the reality. Native people struggle financially, not all, but a good deal of us. We have jobs, own business, go to school, have families, have disabilities and needs that just aren't being met because of the unpredictability of life.

Last year, I was happy because I had done it. I had broken the cycle of poverty, i was finally making money from my work, bills were paid, i had everything I needed and I was happy because I was also able to give back financially as well.

Then boom...in September of last year, I went from being happy and secure to being homeless, to losing everything.....except myself, a suitcase and two dufflebags of clothing.

I left Oklahoma and I've been trying to rebuild my life here in Cali and it hasn't been easy because I'm struggling financially, I'm struggling with my health and my mental health because I've been hit with the loss folx I loved and respected to suicide in the last few months.

But I'm happy here and this is where I feel more like myself than I have in a long long time and it's hard but I'm fighting to rebuild my life. And there others who are in the same situation...fighting like hell to survive day to day...surviving cancer, trauma, loss, etc

Surviving....but still rising for our loved ones, for our people and our communities. Still giving whatever we can...whether it's what few dollars we have left, our time, our labor because of the love and responsibility that we have for our people and communities..

If you find yourself asking how can I help indigenous people? how can I show my appreciation? well, you can open your wallet & give what you can. I'm going to share the money apps of Natives I know are struggling & still doing amazing things for their lives & the lives of others.

First off, @xodanix3 is an amazing Native woman who has expended so much energy addressing violence towards native women, cultural appropriation and so much more - paypal.me/xodanix3

Then there's @wapshkankwet who is the epitome of a warrior. I can't tell you how much I admire her courage and strength as she fights cancer while taking care of the life that is growing inside her. paypal.me/wapshkankwet

. @SemanaThompson who right now could use some help getting their kids school supplies and clothing. I have learned and continue to learn so much from them. cash.me/$MissSemee paypal.me/semanathompson

. @Polychromantium who is one of my favoritest people from #nativetwitter mainly because she has the best insults and one liners ever, but she could use some help right now as well paypal.me/CyborgN8VMari

. @aliwatson117 who has time and time again, given what she could to help me and others even when she is in need herself. paypal.me/aliwatson117

. @jamlamlaser could use help right now as well. I can't tell you how much I appreciate her and not just cuz she things I'm funny and laughs at my lame attempts at humor lol paypal.me/jamlamlaser

and how can I forget to add @apihtawikosisan because damn....her work and tweets are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 paypal.me/apihtawikosisan

also @BadSalishGirl who is one of the most thoughtful and honest native voices. She is taking a hiatus from twitter, but still support her journey and her work because she has more than earned it. paypal.me/Swarriors90

I know there are many more natives out there that I'm missing, including a young native sister's post I can't find but she was needing help with buying books for this coming semester. If I missed you, please share your cash apps on this thread, so I can retweet.

Every day, Natives are out here working to better our lives & communities, educating and trying to heal ourselves and teach our loved ones how to heal from the trauma that has been passed down through the generations, from the traumas and injustices that we face.

It's a heavy load we carry and we carry it with grace, with patience and love, in spite of our pain, sorrow, losses, anger. We're always looking forward and the work never ends

It always breaks my heart because I know the struggles we face, the obstacles that we have to overcome, the work we do and the sacrifices we make and to still be struggling to make it day to day. And it doesn't just break my heart that I see us natives struggling but all people

we're up against a powerful system of oppression and the ways that it is dividing us, pitting us against each other and trying to crush our spirits to keep us obedient and complacent is overwhelming but I see us all making our stands & I know someday we'll see a change, a victory

and I just realized that I didn't add my paypal, so here it is paypal.me/johnniejae

AHA!!! I found the tweet I was looking for. @iamlakotak is another phenomenal native woman who could use some help as she continues to pursue her education. paypal.me/CircleEagle