Romper

Shandean Kaleialoha Bell

Indigenous wife & mother - Activist - Health & wellness Advocate - Full time feminist - So Cal Native & DC Metro Resident - Owner of Untamed Wellness LLC. Instagram - @AcousticMermaid & @UntamedWellnessdc

My Biggest Fear As An Indigenous Mother Is Your Complacency

Saturday night, as I watched the videos of a mob of white male teenagers appear to verbally and physically intimidate a Native elder who had been participating in the Indigenous People’s March, I was filled with so much disgust and anger I could…
By Shandean Kaleialoha Bell

What It Was Like To Be In The Room, Celebrating The Women Who Represent Me At Last

Thursday night, for the very first time — at 32 years old — I walked into a room filled with hundreds of people who looked just like me. I had never felt more at home. The sound of drums beating made me feel like my heart was going to jump out of…
By Shandean Kaleialoha Bell

Fellow Parents, Please Don’t Let Your Kids Dress Up As "Indians" At School

Last year, my daughter’s preschool decided to have a Thanksgiving party. I reached out to the director of the school to let her know that our family is Indigenous and that I would love to come talk to the class about what that means. I anticipated a…
By Shandean Kaleialoha Bell

For Indigenous Women, The March Was Just The Start

I woke up at 6 a.m. Eastern Time on the morning of the historic Women’s March on Washington, heart beating fast, excited and honored to be a part of history. After the usual morning routine — washing my face, brushing my teeth — I grabbed the…
By Shandean Kaleialoha Bell