Ep 79: Queer Indigeneity, with jaye simpson

Welcome to the last episode of 2019!!! Thanks so much for sticking around for this very special episode with an indescribable human! (Let me attempt this anyway..) Meet jaye simpson, an Oji-Cree Saulteaux Non-Binary Two Spirit Queer Trans Woman (Sapotaweyak Cree Nation) poet, artist, performer and activist. They came over to the couch to tell me all the things. We go back to their 16 years in foster care, their art, advocacy and social justice work. In this episode, they tell me about their trials and tribulations, but also about stepping into their power and what the keys to their successes are. Topics: spotted owls, small town cruelty, queerness, slam poetry, erasure, violence, baby queers, call out vs cancel culture, privilege, indigeneity, social capital, colonialism, the tragic story of Tina Fontaine, the problem with the [white and capitalist] justice system, politics, land acknowledgments, the limitations of "awareness", gender identity, social work failures, coming out, bullying, sex, writing about sex, dating standards, power, and SO MUCH MORE, LIKE A FUCKING LOT. Bottom line: be unapologetic and consensual. Mentions: Maggie from @graceclubyvr, Billy-Ray Belcourt @nakinisowin, Kai Cheng Thom kaichengthom.com, Gwen Benaway @gwenbenaway, Arielle Twist @ArielleTwist, Sonya Renee Taylor thebodyisnotanapology.com, and probably a few more. For more, go to @jaye_simpson or look up HUSTLING VERSE (Arsenal Pulp) or go to Grain Vol 46, No. 5 for their writing! Thanks so much my beautiful souls for feeling all these feelings with us. Thank you for being part of this journey, for broadening your conversations, for laughing, crying and raging with us. I wish you rest, constructive energy and purpose in these reflective days. See you in the roaring twenties for more unabashed, unfiltered, uncomfortable topics with new and familiar souls. All my love belongs to you. C. xo