BearHeart Raven

“Can you tell us why you think there should be Congressional districts based on race?” 🤔

If normal boundaries were drawn that fairly represented geographic areas, race would not ever be an issue.

But Republicans insist on dividing districts such that they split minority (especially black) voters up, so that they will never represent a majority in districts — even if they naturally would based on geography.

So no, race should not be an issue. But it is and the Voting Right Act (which Trump’s Supreme Court gutted last week) was put in place to keep parties from doing all this weird gerrymandering EXPLICITLY to exclude people based on race.

Unless you're obsessed with reading your preferred media sources daily from beginning to end, and assuming you've absorbed what you've read, then you're missing out on the "death by a thousand cuts" game being played by the trump administration, with the cowardly head-in-the-sand posture of the republican party. I had to keep a list (I kid you not, on the Notes app on my iPhone) under "Trump Shit," so I could spend time later on learning what I've missed.

Here's a few of things from my list, all very fucking depressing. I've already posted a New York Times story about one of the insults, which I'm summarizing below. I'm borrowing this information from the website of the Conservation Lands Foundation.

Public Lands Rule Rescinded

On May 11, the Trump administration repealed the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule (Public Lands Rule), the BLM rule confirming that conservation is on equal footing with extractive uses, like oil and gas drilling and mining.

The BLM is required by law to balance multiple uses for the benefit of the public.

Instead, this move gives the administration greater leeway to ignore the health of our country’s lands, water sources, wildlife habitats, and ways of life.

Interior transfers 1.4 million acres to Alaska

The Department of the Interior transferred 1.4 million acres of public land to the state of Alaska last week, including areas that could support the Ambler mining road and LNG development projects.

According to the BLM, the transfer fulfills both the Alaska Statehood Act and executive orders aimed at boosting resource production in the state.

For public lands advocates, this is a major development because it shifts a large amount of land out of federal control and could open the door to expanded mining, energy infrastructure, and development in sensitive landscapes.

Trump wants to Strengthen DOJ Environment Division

In the White House's recent FY2027 budget request, the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division would receive $115 million, a 27.8% boost over its enacted FY2026 level.

The administration said the money would help ramp up defense of the president’s environmental actions, including his declaration of a national energy emergency and withdrawal of U.S. waters for offshore wind leasing.

Bison Herds to be Evicted from Federal Grasslands in Montana 

The Trump administration is weighing a plan that could force hundreds of bison off federal grasslands in Montana, reversing years of federal grazing policy.

The proposal has drawn criticism from conservationists and Tribal leaders, who argue that bison have deep ecological, cultural, and historical significance in the region.

Moreover, this reflects a broader conflict over how public lands should be managed: for wildlife restoration and Tribal priorities, or for ranching and livestock interests.

And from other sources, including the New York Times and The Guardian:

Trump Administration Orders Rapid End to Some Hunting Rules on Federal Lands

The Trump administration has directed national recreation areas, seashores, wildlife refuges and other public lands to immediately lift dozens of restrictions on hunting and trapping, internal Interior Department documents show.

The order applies to some 76 federal lands that allow hunting but have rules to protect habitats or people.

Major national parks like Yellowstone, the Everglades and the Grand Canyon are permanently closed to hunting by statute and will not be affected by the order.

Critics said the changes were made without studies or wide consultation about how they might affect public lands. They warned of unintended consequences for animals and habitats.

Trump Administration Lifts Ban on ‘Cyanide Bombs’ on Public Lands

The Trump administration is lifting a ban on the use of “cyanide bombs” on public lands, reversing course over the objections of environmentalists and animal-rights activists.

The Bureau of Land Management will once again allow the use of the devices, which are spring-loaded traps intended to kill coyotes, foxes and other animals that prey on livestock.

The Biden administration had banned the devices in 2023, saying they were too dangerous to people and wildlife.

Cyanide bombs, also known as M-44 devices, spray a lethal dose of sodium cyanide, a highly toxic pesticide, when triggered by a biting animal. They are meant to kill predators that threaten cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock on farms and ranches across the West.

Trump’s Plan to Open 24m Acres of Federal Lands to Cattle Grazing

New legal action aims to head off a Trump administration plan to open up to 24m acres of federal lands to cattle grazing, which opponents characterized as a gift to big agriculture and said could cause a spike in deaths among already imperiled wildlife.

The plan also calls for opening up parts of Grand Canyon national park, and other sensitive landscapes. Cattle destroy critical habitats for wildlife because they strip land bare of essential vegetation and pollute streams with feces, urine, sediment and carcasses.

The degree to which livestock grazing degrades ecosystems makes it a top threat to animals and plants at risk of extinction, environmental advocates say. These issues exceed the combined impacts of logging and mining on protected species.

Excerpt from this story from Mother Jones:

For decades, the US Forest Service has actively managed public lands to reduce wildfire risks by clearing underbrush and trees, or employing prescribed burns—something Indigenous nations have practiced for centuries. Scientists have generally lauded the ecological benefits of what is also known as “fuel treatment.” Now, they say there’s another reason to support this approach: It saves money. 

According to a study published today in the journal Science, every dollar that the agency spent on such tactics avoided $3.73 in smoke, property, and emissions harm. “A lot of people have suggested that there could be potential economic benefits,” said Frederik Strabo, the lead author of the paper and an economist with University of California, Davis. “But it’s been a pretty understudied area.”

The study analyzed high-resolution data from 285 wildfires across 11 Western states between 2017 and 2023 that burned through areas where the Forest Service had reduced the fuel load. On average, the treatments decreased the total area burned by 36 percent and cut the amount of land burned at moderate to high severity by 26 percent. Researchers then modeled the economic benefits of those reductions. 

Shamanism is one of the oldest spiritual traditions in human history, rooted in direct experience with nature, spirit, and healing. For centuries, it was practiced within specific indigenous cultures, passed down through oral traditions and lived experience. Today, however, shamanism is undergoing a noticeable transformation. It is no longer confined to remote regions or traditional societies. Instead, it is evolving alongside modern life, shaped by technology, psychology, and global culture.

The future of shamanism is not about replacing the old with the new. It is about adaptation. What we are seeing now is a blending of ancient wisdom with contemporary needs, creating new forms of practice that reflect the realities of the 21st century.

The Integration of Shamanism with Psychology

One of the most significant trends is the integration of shamanism with modern psychology and mental health practices. Therapists and wellness practitioners are increasingly exploring techniques such as guided visualization, journeying, and energy work as complementary tools for healing trauma and emotional distress.

This shift is important because it brings shamanic ideas into a framework that is more accessible and credible to a wider audience. Instead of being seen as purely mystical or fringe, these practices are being studied, adapted, and sometimes validated through scientific research. The result is a hybrid approach that speaks both to ancient traditions and modern therapeutic needs.

The Rise of Eco-Spirituality

Another emerging trend is the rise of eco-spirituality. Shamanism has always emphasized the interconnectedness of all life, but in a time of climate crisis, this idea is gaining renewed urgency. Many modern practitioners are combining spiritual work with environmental activism, using rituals and ceremonies to foster a deeper relationship with the Earth. This shift reflects a broader cultural movement. People are not just looking for personal healing; they are also searching for ways to reconnect with the natural world. Shamanism, with its deep ecological roots, offers a framework for that reconnection.

At the same time, shamanism is becoming more urban. Traditionally associated with forests, mountains, and rural settings, it is now being practiced in cities around the world. Urban shamanism adapts rituals and practices to fit modern environments, often creating sacred spaces in unexpected places like apartments, studios, or community gardens. This change challenges the idea that spiritual connection requires isolation from modern life. Instead, it suggests that meaningful practice can happen anywhere, even in the middle of a busy city.

The Role of Technology

Technology is also playing a major role in shaping the future of shamanism. Online workshops, virtual ceremonies, and global communities have made these practices more accessible than ever before. Someone interested in shamanism no longer needs to travel to a remote location or find a local teacher. They can join a virtual circle, attend a live-streamed ritual, or study with practitioners from different cultures, all from their own home.

This accessibility comes with both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it allows knowledge to spread and communities to grow. On the other, it raises questions about authenticity, depth, and cultural respect. As shamanism becomes more global, practitioners must navigate the line between learning from different traditions and appropriating them.

The Rise of Neo-Shamanism

This brings us to another key trend: the rise of what is often called "neo-shamanism." These are modern forms of shamanic practice that are not tied to a specific indigenous lineage. Instead, they draw from multiple sources and adapt them to contemporary life. For many people, this flexibility is appealing. It allows them to create a personal spiritual path that feels relevant and meaningful. However, it also raises ethical questions about how traditions are used and who has the right to teach or practice them.

As a result, there is a growing emphasis on cultural awareness and responsibility within the shamanic community. Practitioners are increasingly encouraged to approach these traditions with respect, humility, and an understanding of their origins. This shift suggests that the future of shamanism will not just be about innovation, but also about accountability.

Exploring and Developing the True Self

Another important development is the personalization of practice. Unlike traditional systems that often follow structured teachings, modern shamanism tends to be more individualized. People are encouraged to explore their own experiences, beliefs, and connections, creating practices that are unique to them.

This reflects a broader cultural trend toward self-directed spirituality. Instead of following a fixed path, individuals are building their own, often blending elements from different traditions.

Despite all these changes, the core of shamanism remains the same. It is still about healing, connection, and the exploration of consciousness. Shamanism is about remembering, exploring and developing the true self. Shamanism places emphasis on the individual, of breaking free and discovering one's own uniqueness in order to bring something new back to the community. What is changing is the context in which these practices take place.

Emerging Challenges

At the same time, there are real challenges ahead. The loss of indigenous knowledge, often due to globalization and cultural disruption, is a serious concern. As traditional communities face pressure from modern society, some of the original forms of shamanism are at risk of disappearing. This creates a paradox: while interest in shamanism is growing globally, the cultures that gave rise to it are often under threat.

There is also the risk of commercialization. As shamanism becomes more popular, it can be packaged and sold in ways that strip it of depth and meaning. Workshops, certifications, and retreats can make these practices more accessible, but they can also turn them into products rather than lived traditions.

Looking ahead, the future of shamanism will likely be shaped by how these tensions are managed. The balance between tradition and innovation, accessibility and authenticity, personal freedom and cultural respect will define what shamanism becomes.

A Way of Relating to the World

What seems clear is that shamanism is not fading away. If anything, it is expanding. It is finding new expressions in psychology, environmental work, digital spaces, and everyday life. It is being practiced by people who may never call themselves shamans, but who are drawn to its core ideas of connection and healing.