Post by @NorcalGma2@sfba.social

2026-10-14 05:26 UTC

Yesterday I responded to Indigenous Peoples Day by sharing some of my family's history. I have one more story for you. My mother was born Wailaki and lived on the Round Valley Reservation. At least seven families lived on the ranch. Three generations of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. My mother always said that while the country was starving during the depression they had ample game to hunt, fish in the Eel River and a massive garden. But when she was sent to Indian Boarding School she starved. I tell you this because her later health issues were likely the result of malnutrition as an adolescent. I was her end of life caregiver. The doctors were convinced that the atrophy of her brain was from alcohol. She was Indian but never a drinker. They wouldn't believe us and didn't help. Prejudice can manifest in so many different ways. She deserved better. This is why I seek out care for myself at my Indian Health clinic. They believe me when I tell them the truth

Replies (2)

@BobHorowitz@sfba.social 2026-10-14 05:43

@NorcalGma2@sfba.social That is a strong image of a woman with strikingly wonderful features. And a striking image of a woman with wonderfully strong features. Regardless, based on the way you've spoken of her and her life, I would have loved to have known her, and I am glad you were there to protect and provide for her when she needed it.

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@SomeVeganCheeseIsOk@mastodon.social 2026-10-14 10:09

@NorcalGma2@sfba.social malnutrition is brutal. It should be gone today in our part of the world, but anorexia and lack of nutritional education means that it's still around to be studied. Your mom as a woman and nonwhite undoubtedly got the worst of whatever medical care was available. The fact that's true makes me continuous, silently furious. We need a LOT of education and representation in the medical fields.

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