Mizha

Now is the time of the Seventh Fire. By the light of the Seventh Fire come the Ogichidaag', the warriors, those who would use their power with wisdom to bring harmony and balance back to Mother Earth. They will soar with wabishki-giniw, the White Eagle, bringing the wisdom of Spirit with the first light of day. Background Mizhakwan Peltier has been an activist for Indigenous, environmental and social causes since her teens. During the time of the Standing Rock protests against Endron, a video of her singing an original song went briefly viral; as a result of that and a decade of efforts as an organizer, she has a little bit of a reputation in the world of the political left, especially among those who work on Indigenous causes. She arrived in LA in 2020, not long after the disastrous explosion at Skid Row, and since then has been seen at a number of major actions. According to rumors in the world of labor organizing, she might have been one of the forces behind the recent formation of a union by Cafe Java employees in Los Angeles. Mizha has also gained a name for herself as a local musician in eccentric venues and coffee shops, usually performing a mix of original songs and classic protest anthems. She's definitely memorable, sporting a slightly-punk side shave ornamented with tiny braids and, usually, at least one large feather from an eagle, hawk or corvid. Appearance-wise, the singer is pretty enough but not stunning--unless one counts the shockingly brilliant smile that can at times light up her entire face. Her regular shows at Cafe La Causa (a very eccentric left-leaning coffee shop and infoshop near UCLA) tend to draw a large and varied crowd that runs the gamut from punks to professors, from black turtlenecks to black biker jackets. Mizhakwan is also a member of Gidaandakii, an Indigenous music group that burst onto the powwow scene in the 2021 season. There's rumored to be a recording in the works. Late in 2021, her name showed up in local news, with irony attached. (+bbread 6/22 and 6/23) Peltier's website, eagleresistance.org, remained active even after she was hospitalized. She began posting again right at the end of 2021, both on the main website and on her substack site: the usual political essays and commentary, along with occasional updates on her recovery. No videos, of course, only the written word. And, once in a while, a rant. (+bbread 8/94) Most of her work in 2022 has been focused on Endron, particularly on the Bristow Park project and surrounding political battles. This issue has its own splash page on her website, with links to numerous community and environmental groups planning a group march in Commerce. In addition, there are a number of links to peer-reviewed medical research on the detrimental effects of oil processing facilities and refineries on the health of surrounding communities, as well as articles on the unsafe practices and appalling pollution of Big Oil. (+bbread 8/102) Roleplaying Hooks Radical Left: In just about every sense, Mizha is a radical left activist. Indigenous rights and causes, environmentalism, anti-capitalism and anti-racism head the list. She has a fairly long arrest record going back more than ten years, though she's never been charged with more than a misdemeanor. LGBTQ Causes: Right up there with the above. Mizha attends protests for trans rights and LGBTQ equality, especially when counter-protests are expected. She isn't a bruiser by any stretch of the imagination, but she isn't afraid of getting up in a bigot's face, either. NO GODS NO MASTERS: Are you an anarchist? Would you like to learn about anarchism? There are some great books Mizha could recommend. Cafe la Causa: She plays frequently at the long-established leftist/anarchist coffee shop. Native Alliance of Los Angeles: She's been peripherally involved with this nonprofit since its founding last year. Now she volunteers a couple of times a week, teaching the Ojibwe language, storytelling, and performing for both children and adults. The Scene: If you're in the know, Mizha is definitely part of it. She frequents Dante's on certain nights of the week. An Injury To One Is An Injury To All: Recently Mizha has been involved in labor organizing, encouraging the formation of a union at a downtown location of a nationwide coffee shop chain. These efforts are continuing at other locations, as well. Currently, the original group of organizers has filed a suit against the company for its unjust retaliation against union organizers under current labor laws. Guns, Gyms and Dojos: She spends a little time on the firing range, a little time in the gym, and a little time in the dojo. Skid Row: Once upon a time, Mizha spent a lot of time with the people of Skid Row: performing little concerts, playing classical guitar, delivering food or necessities, sometimes just talking to the houseless residents and finding ways to help. These days she tends to do that work in other places downtown, though she's often not far from the historic neighborhood. People zaagichikaazag Agawaateshin - And when you go, you go alone nizhawenimaag, the chosen family Zaka'ige-dashgaazo, she hides her light - hope is a muscle / that allows us to connect / Translation keeps me wide awake / Tomorrow is not here / Floating in white space / New codes feeling strange / sky is wide and bright / daylight burns my eyes Mishiibijii, the panther - Perfection is the harshest term / the shade of your eyes is a curse / don't look at me, it hurts dance, when you're broken open. dance, if you've torn the bandage off. dance in the middle of the fighting. dance in your blood. dance, when you're perfectly free. Nishiime, my sister - we will heal this land Zhawenim'akina, compassionate one - we all search for some kind of truth Aabawaasige, sun-warm - there are many roads to Light Minwaabi - the last place I expected to find a friend Dragana - born of the earth and the darkness Fortitude - love is a verb / love is a doing word Biidaashi - Drift away, sailor boy, on the deep sea gikinoo'amaagewinini, teacher Jim Turcotte - Miigwech, nimishoomis nibeshwaji'aag Sophia - we are the wind that carries the seeds Ikal - Mahmpi wah hoka yi nonk - stand tall, sing, dance, and never forget who you are zaagi'idiwin ondendid, lost love Niinimoshenh - I've done everything I know / to try and change your mind wiisaganag Aditsan - I would have been proud to call you friend. Wolfe - Should have left it all alone In the Sky World Edge - can't anybody see / we've got a war to fight Edgelord - We rise from the ashes / for worse or for better Dibiki-ma'iingan - still down and out you got me beggin' for thread / to sew this hole up that you ripped in my head Dakwange - I call to earth and moon and sun / to remember / a warrior who has gone "Strike elsewhere, lightning bolt. Someday we may yet dance together." when we die / we will die / with our arms unbound / This is why we fight. Resources Indigenous Stories Wiki Page Videos: Stories & Wisdom Keepers Gallery Older photos and candids Scars This is what meshed skin graft scars look like; the 'fishnet'-like texture covers most of Mizha's exposed skin except for her face, ankles, feet and hands. Full Name: Mizhakwan Peltier Appears As: Mizha Apparent Age: 30-ish Occupation: Musician Activist Statistics Appearance 🟠🟠🟠 Charisma 🟠🟠🟠🟠 Totem 🟠🟠🟠🟠 Merits & Flaws Bardic Gift Natural Channel Echoes Socially Networked Soundtrack Resistance Hip-Hop (CW) DJs, EDM & House Anishinaabe Culture Indigenous Stories & Wisdom Keepers Medicine Music