Ours, Yours and Mine: Unkitawa Works to Uplift Those in Need by Rae Rose

The end of 2020 is drawing near. COVID-19 rates seem to be rising again, but there is hope in the first round of vaccines. Those of us celebrating tomorrow’s New Year have survived another year, another pandemic. Despite my doubts and all we don’t know about the new vaccines, it does signify, hopefully, the pandemic coming to a close. That gives me hope for a better 2021.

This article is a continuation of gratitude to all the Native run organizations, who have stepped up to keep us strong during this pandemic. I wish to highlight them for all the love they have brought during these times of chaos and uncertainty. We are lucky in Seattle, Washington to have such amazing non-profit organizations looking out for our Urban Native Community. This article is a tribute of gratitude and love to Unkitawa for all they do for our Urban Natives here.

Long before I ever heard the name Unkitawa, I heard of the work, and at every protest, at every rally, and celebration I sat with the medicines they provided. In standing together with my husband’s Standing Rock Sioux tribe, I heard about Unkitawa beginnings. As I checked on camps, and tried to make connections between healers, I felt their presence. When I asked about needs, I heard about the man bringing firewood, making regular deliveries, long before I knew his name.

Kyle Schierbeck, a Standing Rock Lakota, started providing for his community without benefit or recognition. He is a humble man who met like minded people to form what is now Unkitawa, an organization that stands for and with our beautiful Native community.

I did not know about Unkitawa until a friend of mine Ixtli White Hawk joined their ranks. I had been volunteering with Native kids in non-Native homes for years especially through a behavioral health center in North Seattle. This is when Ixtli volunteered her time to sit with my kids as an Auntie. Ixtli and Unkitawa helped me provide meals, trips to local tribal events, and gifts for the kids separated from their culture and communities in state sponsored foster care.

It was through this interaction I came to realize Kyle was the man bringing firewood to Standing Rock during the long winter. This is also when I found out that the medicines provided at rallies, protest, and celebrations all came from Unkitawa. It struck me as odd that I had benefitted and the kids I love have benefitted so much from an organization that asks for so little. I wanted to highlight Unkitawa because of the care they have given to Native families in need during this current pandemic.

Through hosting drum circles for healing, to providing medicines, and grass-roots organizing Unkitawa exemplifies the spirit of giving and selflessness. They have grown from one man’s good intentions into an organization recognized for their selfless acts.

Some of these acts that I know about include:

A young woman who lost her job recently put a call out for help. Unkitawa helped her with emergency groceries and funding for her and her two daughters to make it through the New

Year. When her groceries were delivered, she was near tears. She told me she did not think anyone cared about her enough to help.

When I was asked to help a young indigenous girl separated from her family and put into Washington’s foster care system with nothing but the clothes on her back. Without question Unkitawa, stepped forward to help provide this child with clothes and a stuffed toy to make her transition easier.

These are only a few of the kind acts I am aware of, but these acts embody the heart of Unkitawa’s spirit. I have sat with them in ceremony and everyday events and have always felt their love and support for our children. They believe in our communities and are on the frontlines fighting for our future. It gives me hope for our future as they take their place as Native leaders guiding us through these hard times.

Thank you Unkitawa for all you do for us Urban Natives!

By Rae Rose

Rae Rose is a Pacific Northwest author of Paiute, Mayan, and Japanese heritage. She writes historical fiction, poetry, picture books. “Stories are very important to me, I hope you enjoy these stories I share with you.” You can follow her @Rae_Rose7