Survivance
Deer Creek, CO
The word and concept of survivance is yet another contribution by Native American peoples spread throughout these United States. Survivance summons power through their cultural memories tucked in emotive objects, art, and spoken word. Coined by White Earth scholar, Gerald Vizenor, survivance levels up the notion of resistance, it combines resistance with survival. Truth be told resistance as a political strategy never worked for me, for as universal law states what we resist will persist, (ah-hem), however when I discovered survival and resistance collided into one beautiful word that appropriately describes the brutality of racism, the nature of injustice suffered by those torn apart by colonized people, and how they carry on by resisting these acts I began to see the value of resistance when combined with survival. For those still wondering what I am talking about the Native American protests of the Dakota Pipeline is a large, but simplified example of survivance.
I am particularly drawn to this word ‘in these times’ as it feels as if the derision and separation in these United States have left so many of us bewildered and forlorn, not to mention a feeling of mass helplessness as to how we can resist the shadow power of Elon Musk and quite frankly so much evil. Please note I am not attempting to steal a word from the Native Americans, but I am suggesting that we breathe into their ideals, learn from their courageousness, and believe in their ways of connecting to all that is precious and, well, cannot be bought. As the culture wars continue to rage and our collective grief has begun to outweigh our exhaustion . . . we the artists and activists might do well to navigate our lives in the coming days and years to incorporate personal rituals of survivance. Sealing our stories of disruption, assault on personal freedoms, mother nature, and the change that is coming into an act or expression seems highly apropos. Change that will be affecting the lives of so many, least of all our beautiful children. By creating the continuity of what survivance entails, we, like Native Americans will build community upon communities, strengths upon strengths, likeness upon likeness, and family upon families This is what survivance looks like to me as I rally my community around a tree council and choose to spend the inauguration day deep inside a mighty redwood forest paying my respects to the majestic elders. Here I will sit for hours listening and practicing what the Irish Gaelic call tenalach, the deep connection one has to the earth that allows them to feel the oneness of the earth, hear her and all her relations, the land, sky, water, etc sing.
Perhaps if we take the time to increase our communication with nature we will get a wee glimpse outside of belief structures and limiting compassions that have got us into this mess, for there was a time (before Christianity) when no judgment was cast for listening to a wise old oak or talking with wild animals, these were simply experiences to behold. On the inauguration day, I will sit in wild wonder and awe, let go of the sadness and grief, and honor the wisdom and spirits of our elders. My survival has always been nature, and my resistance is tuning out for this day. However large or small it is my great hope that all who are reading this little piece can find their way to survivance.
Stay True World,
MGH