No other native people agree with me that I’ve met and I haven’t seen any other posts like this in this sub, so I just thought I would share something that pisses me off about being forced into this culture of spirituality from the time I was born.

I’ve actually seen some posts/comments on here praising Indigenous spirituality, which I understand since it’s maybe slightly more based in reality than other religions.

But one thing I have always hated is how othered I am made to feel when I’m on my period. I think this is a common theme with pretty much every religion. I’m not allowed to participate in stuff when I’m on my period, and I have to be taken to a place to “rest”.

When we enter a tipi, we sit in a circle and have to enter in a very specific way. The circle is supposed to be sacred as it represents the continuous pattern of life and death. When a girl is on her period, she is not allowed to sit in this circle. Everyone says it’s because women are ‘sacred’ and need to be pampered while they are menstruating. But are periods not a part of life and death? The menstrual cycle and the uterus is essential to that whole process. So what the fuck.

The excuse they use today is that women need to be taken care of, but I’m almost 100% sure that was not the original reason. It’s because we were seen as dirty, just like in every other religion.

Where I live in Canada, we had to do this all throughout school too, so when I was in like fifth grade before we would do anything they started asking if anyone was on their period.

And yeah, I have never disclosed that I’m on my period even if I am, because anyone who asks that so I can sit in a circle with them can get fucked.

In my opinion, every religion, even the “good ones” that they had us participate in school, have practices that are rooted in misogyny.