Boundaries are important for our mental healt

These notes capture the experiences and reflections of Marina Crane, highlighting her advocacy work, the challenges faced, and the profound effects of trauma and defamation within Indigenous communities.Marina Crane recounts her initial uncertainty about the reach of her blog. For two decades, she received minimal feedback, occasional phone calls, and rare updates, but rarely any emails. She shares an instance when someone from Saskatchewan claimed to be a victim of Nathan Chasing Horse. Marina, discerning inconsistencies in the story, chose not to publish the account, emphasizing her commitment to honesty and integrity in her updates.Throughout her blogging journey, Marina faced disbelief and accusations from Nathan Chasing Horse's followers, who were manipulated to distrust her. For many years, she was unaware her blog was being read by people outside her immediate circle. When she visited Las Vegas on March 11th, she met individuals from California, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona who credited her blog with helping them reconsider their support for Nathan Chasing Horse.Marina discusses the importance of her podcast, which reaches individuals experiencing trauma or dealing with family crises. She stresses the necessity of confronting trauma rather than ignoring it, warning that unresolved trauma can lead to compounded issues and hinder one's ability to grieve or care for oneself. She emphasizes that discussing abuse reveals its widespread nature and prompts individuals to process and confront it, even as they remain true to their identity.Marina draws parallels between the experiences of Black Canadians and Indigenous peoples, illustrating how systemic racism persists regardless of socioeconomic status. She advocates for developing gender psychology and curricula for Indigenous girls, aimed at fostering informed choices and preventing manipulation, grooming, and trafficking. She questions how support workers can create safe environments for youth when dangers may exist within their own homes.Survivors described feeling manipulated and unaware of their involvement with Nathan Chasing Horse. Marina shares anecdotes about being misrepresented, including being accused of being a "cougar" or having inappropriate relationships, despite her age and status. She highlights the emotional impact of having family members and community members fail to defend her against such defamation.Marina underscores the importance of educating Indigenous youth about historical events such as Bill C-30 and the ways Indian agents groomed members of their communities. She advocates for academic and counselling support to prevent vulnerability, particularly when home environments are unsafe due to parental dysfunction or mental health issues. She recounts the courage required to confront one's own trauma, noting it took her twenty years to report sexual assault and face her truth.Marina describes the persistent defamation of her character on social media, including accusations involving her granddaughter. She details the heartbreak of not being defended by her own family and the perpetuation of false narratives. She reflects on the cyclical nature of abuse within families, including the emotional abuse suffered by her niece and the physical intimidation experienced by another relative.Marina shares experiences with tobacco offerings and the expectations placed on Indigenous elder women when invited to pray or participate in ceremonies. She emphasizes the need for organizers to protect elders from misogyny Marina reflects on the trauma experienced during the Las Vegas events, the importance of social media in empowering survivors, and the need to celebrate the courage of those who left the cult. She emphasizes that advocacy and storytelling can save lives and encourages ongoing support and planning for positive change within Indigenous communities.