Five Indigenous Issues Blogs To Bookmark and Follow

by Natasha Varner

www.firstpeoplesnewdirections.org

Published March 7, 2012

Our past round-ups of Native blogs and podcasts, Five Native Bloggers and Podcasters to Bookmark and Follow and Five Indigenous Blogs to Follow Now, featured some of our favorite sources on the Indigenous Americas and beyond. Here are five more blogs that make invaluable contributions to discussions of Indigenous issues and scholarship that we hope you add to your regular reading lists.

âpihtawikosisân

Blogger Chelsea Vowel writes insightful posts on a range of topics from cultural appropriations and representations of Indigenous peoples in popular culture to analysis of current events and systemic issues of racism and violence. The blog also includes helpful resources like primers on Aboriginal issues, resources for Plains Cree language learners, links to Aboriginal artists and designers, as well as a cultural appropriation hall of shame, an impactful what-not-to-wear for non-Native hipsters.

Black Coffee Poet

This literary blog emphasizes social justice, poets of color, queer poets, and other
marginalized voices. Author Jorge Antonio Vallejos features interviews with poets paired with reviews of their collections and videos of readings. He also expands beyond literature to cover current issues, most recently publishing posts and interviews to draw attention to missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Unsettling America

This blog, which describes itself as an emerging decentralized network of autonomous groups and individuals is dedicated to “mental and territorial decolonization throughout Turtle Island and the ‘Americas.’” Posts from contributing writers identify and critique existing colonial structures and offer decolonial alternatives for Indigenous communities. In addition to extensive resource lists for Native communities, the site offers tools for educating allies and organizations that seek to support Indigenous peoples.

Newspaper Rock

Author Rob Schmidt keeps this blog fresh through a combination of original pieces, guest posts, and excerpts from blog posts published elsewhere on the web. Posts critique representations of Native Americans in popular culture but also work to break stereotypes through profiles of contemporary Native artists, musicians, and athletes from across the United States.

Racialicious is a conglomerate of bloggers and special correspondents, including Jessica Yee of the Native Youth Sexual Health Network, who write incisive posts on the intersection of race and pop culture. Though not exclusively focused on Indigenous peoples, the blog situates Indigenous issues within the larger context of gender, race, and sexuality in a way that sheds light on the pervasive racism and colonialism that Indigenous peoples face.