Act of Continued Colonialism

Written by
Aqpik Apok, Gender Justice Director
Enei Begaye, Executive Director

cover photo: Illuminative

US Supreme Court Decision is an Act of Continued Colonialism, a Historical Step Backward

The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade is sickening, it is an abhorrent attack on human rights and the sovereignty of choice that people with wombs have over their own bodies. Native Movement is outraged and aggrieved at this historical backward step in the work to secure body sovereignty, autonomy of choice, reproductive justice, and fundamental rights to health care. Access to abortion is a basic human right, it is responsible healthcare. Reproductive choice is a fundamental right of all those with uteruses. 

“The loss of 50 years of hard fought protections should enrage all who believe in freedom, access to safe healthcare for all, and ultimately just systems,” said Enei Begaye, Native Movement Executive Director.

In Alaska the US Supreme Court decision will not impact Alaskans’ legal rights to abortion, just yet. The Alaska Supreme Court has a history of continued protection of legal rights to abortion. 

“While we applaud the Alaska Supreme Court, there continues to be steep inequalities to safe and accessible healthcare particularly for women and trans people. More needs to be done here in Alaska. This national action only underscores the importance of protecting hard fought for rights locally AND the need to continue advocating for increased accessibility, safety, and affordability of reproductive health care for all. We call on Alaskan elected leaders to make their stance pro-choice” said Aqpik Charlene Apok, Native Movement Gender Justice and Healing Director.

“We stand in outrage and grief with all those across the country, particularly in states without any protections outside of the national protections, who have been stripped of their rights to bodily autonomy and access to safe healthcare. We stand with our relatives across the country who are facing the imminent loss of rights and access over the next month. This Supreme Court decision is an act of national terrorism and enables racism to thrive,” stated Enei Begaye, Native Movement Executive Director.

Eliminating safe access to abortion is equally political, economic, and racist. Lack of access to safe and affordable reproductive healthcare often keeps people with uteruses in lower wage earning jobs and ensures future generations remain chained to the system of economic disenfranchisement. This Supreme Court decision removes the agency and autonomy of already strained and stressed people from marginalized communities, furthering inequities in a country that does not provide universal healthcare, living wages, and paid parental leave. The impacts of the Court’s decision will continue the perpetuation of systemic racism that disproportionately funnels people of color through state agencies and the prison industrial complex.

As Indigenous peoples we know all too well a history of taking. The actions of the U.S. Supreme Court continues to take; the taking of our body sovereignty and self determination is a glaring act of colonialism which seeks control, abuse of power, and profit. We must remain aware and engaged by mobilizing and supporting actions locally and in solidarity across the nation. 

“Today there is palpable grief, anger, and suffering as already patients are being turned away in tears at clinics across the nation. This decision is already starting a crisis on top of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, our current climate emergency and economic instability. We remind one another at this moment that we stand together and affirm collectively that no one controls our bodies,” said Princess Johnson, Native Movement Board Member. 

Native Movement is partnered with organizations throughout Alaska and nationally; we are asking people to join a national day of action on July 9th, 2022. Alaska events are planned for Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, & Homer. 

“Until all of us are free, the few who think they are remain tainted with enslavement.” -Lee Maracle (First Nations writer)

#BANSOFFOURBODIES #abortionishumanrights #ourbodiesourrights #RoeVWade #AbortionIsHealthcare #reproductivejustice #SCOTUS #votePROchoice