What IS Lateral Violence?

So we're gonna try this again. I just shot this entire video, explained so much, and then for some reason, my camera died and it didn't work, and here I am again. So, hello, you absolutely amazing person, you. And thank you so much for checking out my video. Now I've got a grin on my face today. I am kind of laughing as I went to do this video, even for the second time. Because if you follow my channel, you know, I'm Misko Paganon Kwei. I'm Red Thunderbolt Woman. I am the Lightning bolt moments. I'm that quote that reminds you or clarifies things for you. I don't attack people, but I'm definitely not known for being subtle. And I'm laughing because my viewers, the people that watch my YouTube channel or my YouTube videos are not subtle. E Back at the beginning of October, I decided to try something new. I did a full video on Monday, and then Tuesday to Friday, I would share clips from that video. You guys didn't like that? I see my viewership numbers, and yes, those are important to me. I earn revenue when you watch my videos. So you're helping support my work simply by watching this. And holy moly's, you guys did not like those clips. So the good news is this week, starting now in November, we're going back to a different full video every single day. So you're getting your educational knowledge more than just once a week. But this week is going to be a little bit different. Now, I want to be clear. I'm not going to be doing this every week. But I've been receiving so many requests for Lateral Violence seminars lately that even my team are going, wow, what's going on? And I've always said, like Lateral Violence Training, the seminars I offer easily the most important work I do because these seminars have the potential to invoke the greatest change, positive change, much needed change. It's also totally heartbreaking to do because every single time I do one, I wish it was my last one. I wish we would stop attacking each other. I wish we would treat each other like we're people of value, even though colonialism tries to ingrain a different story in our brains. So this week is going to be different because this week I'm focusing on lateral violence. Today we're going to talk about what that is. I'm actually going to show a clip from my the Path Away from Lateral Violence Training course, something I use in seminar. So you're getting the exact same content. And then at the end, stick around to the end. Because then I have a new shorter definition that might clear up things for you tomorrow. On Tuesday, we're going to talk about where lateral violence comes from. Why does this keep happening? Oh, actually, no. Where it comes from is Tuesday. Wednesday is the two biggest lies about lateral violence and why it keeps happening. Thursday, we're going to really dive in what lateral violence is and isn't, because often people get accused of being laterally violent and that's not what it is at all. And last but not least, of course, we're finishing off the week with how to overcome it. Whether you're indigenous or marginalized and suffering from it, there's steps you can take. And if you're trying to help someone that's suffering from it, there's steps you can take as well. So that's for this week. We are back to a different video every single day. I have heard your silence was loud. So welcome back. Let's jump into it. In other words, let's talk about it. Hi, everybody. My name is Sandy Boucher. I'm Red Thunderbolt, woman of the Loon clan, a proud member of Seine River First Nation in Treaty 3 Territory in Northern Ontario. And as I mentioned this week, I am focusing in on lateral violence. I'm responding to the requests I'm getting. I'm about to do my fourth lateral violence training session in like the last month, and I haven't done them for like a year. So something is definitely going on out there that is not a negative. That means a whole bunch of groups and people and entities are now want to take the steps to finally put lateral violence behind us. That's something that should be celebrated. But before I say anything else, do you know what lateral violence is? Let's talk about it. What I'm going to share now, as I said in the opening, I'm going to share a clip from my course, the Path Away from Lateral Violence. Watch the clip. And then at the end, I'm going to come back and give you a shorter definition that I think is really going to help you identify it when you're experiencing it or observing it amongst your staff or group or whatever the case may be. So first, here's the clip from my course, the Path Away from Lateral Violence. So what did you think of the video? I hope you enjoyed it. Trying to think. I think I had dark hair in that clip. Right? We won't touch on that. I promise to give you a shorter version, a shorter definition of what lateral violence is. So it's in very short and sweet. Any action or words that the intent is to keep you small. So you just got your driver's license, like so. So what? Who cares what you think you're better than me now? You just got your degree. You think what? Why are you here? You're better than us now. It's encouraging people not to celebrate their successes. And in with indigenous communities and organizations, it's we're so used to acknowledging our traumas, but we forget to balance the feather and celebrate those successes. Anytime someone said or why do you think they're going to hire you? Lateral violence, right? Anything that reduces you stops, your joy stops. Because if you're thrilled with celebrating and you got a driver's license, then you're going to be tempted to achieve something else. But if I can minimize it, maybe you won't. So that's what lateral violence is. And it is rampant in our communities. Tomorrow we're going to talk about where this comes from. And if you're observing this, well, tomorrow is going to help. You're going to end up understanding what you're seeing if you watch tomorrow's video. So I'm dying to know, what did you think of today's videos? Put the comments below and please come back tomorrow. Also share this video not everyone's going to be able to come to a seminar or workshop of mine. I wish they could. I wish they would reach out so I could help them and we could finally put this behind us. Because it needs to be behind us. But if that's not a possibility, then please at least share this video with anyone you think is experiencing lateral violence. Being held back by someone. Because this is valuable information that could truly help them. Which is why I wanted to dedicate the whole week to this topic. Until tomorrow. I love you. Take care. Bye bye.