Indigenous Allyship

ZYNA Resource Guide #1

Indigenous Allyship: How Zoroastrians Can Support Indigenous Communities

Introduction

On May 27th, 2021, findings were released regarding the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia. The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation released results from a survey of the grounds which uncovered the remains of approximately 215 children buried at the site.

Since this discovery, hundreds of unmarked graves have been discovered across Canada, informing the world of the tragic history and continued mistreatment of the Indigenous people of North America.

As Zoroastrian youth living on Indigenous land, we felt it was necessary to help educate our community on the history and trauma of the original stewards of our nations. This guide serves as a resource for North American Zoroastrians to learn about the history of settler-colonialism, the impact on Indigenous people today, and what we as Zoroastrians can do to be allies with Indigenous communities.

Did you enjoy reading this guide and would like to be part of creating the next issue? Please reach out to Bita Kavoosi at bitakavoosi@gmail.com.

FEZANA represents a diverse and growing Zarathushti community in North America.

Guided by the blessings of AHURA MAZDA and the teachings of our Prophet Zarathushtra; the Federation was founded in 1987 It serves as the coordinating body for 26 Zoroastrian Associations and 14 Corresponding Groups in the United States and Canada.

The activities of FEZANA are conducted in a spirit of mutual respect, co-operation and unity amongst all Member associations, and with due regard for the principles of GOODNESS, TRUTH, REASON, BENEVOLENCE, IMPLICIT TRUST and CHARITY towards all Mankind.

:+: Baname Khoda Kshnothro Ahura Mazda