Twakehtahkw^ (oneida language word meaning "I believe it")

Unfortunately, almost every Indigenous community has an invisible blanket of oppression weighing them down from their true potential. 

This systematic oppression is a result of colonialism, genocide, assimilation, and indoctrination. It effects everyone's physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

My plan is to remove that blanket of oppression using Astronomical Knowledge, Ancestral Technology, and Original ways of Knowing. 

In July 2021, my younger sister Sasha passed away. She was in University and part of her research was Indigenous Astronomy. Over the course of three years she gathered information, then created a course curriculum, as well as  a 2 hour presentation. Before she passed she gave me all of her research and at that time I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. 

Part of my grief recovery is accepting the gift to continue her work and research. She always wanted us to do this presentation together, and unfortunately she ran out of time on this earth world before we could do that. Fortunately with the help of technology, recordings, and logistics, I can thankfully say that I am able to still do this presentation with my sister. Since she shared this information online during the pandemic, most of her presentations were recorded. I also believe that she is still helping me because she is always sending me new information. I also have so many new theories that I am continuously adding to the presentation.

The original intention of sharing this 2 hour presentation wasn't to heal Indigenous oppression, it just happened to be an organic post effect. The shared information connects neural pathways to the amazingness of Indigenous Existence.  

My plan is to travel throughout Indigenous Country across North America and help to lift that blanket of oppression. 

This solution can help all Indigenous Communities in North America to realize their potential when they are able to make connections back to the cosmos. It helps to know where you come from, to clear your path for the future. 

I recently visited a Mohawk Community in Akwesasne, NY and Louise Herne McDonald one of the Bear Clanmothers for the Mohawk Nation posted "Our Haudenosaunee ancestors passed down stories and beliefs tied to the cosmos. Our oral traditions linked to astronomy, ensures teachings survive for generations to come while simultaneously creating a sense of balance between the past, present, and future. Living traditional customs through the stars helps to remove the separation created between modern living and being Native American. The connections between constellations and Indigenous  Astronomy is saying "Hey, our ancestors were scientists" So many mind blowing teachings with Samantha". 

The Oneida Clanmothers also stated "These stories are an integral part of our history and we all need to know the underlying teachings so we can share the knowledge and pass it on to the next generations. As well, storytelling brought our People together with a better understanding of who we are and our responsibilities to each other, our Nation and our Mother the Earth".

This presentation also shares how smart, innovative, and creative, Indigenous people are. Our ancestors weren't only scientists, but also astronomers, architects, engineers, biodiverse farmers, artists, designers, doctors, and lawmakers before the educational intuitions existed. 

This solution can help every Indigenous community. My workplan is to share the Indigenous Astronomy presentation, then give communities the option, if they would like me to work directly with specific departments within their organization to develop healing programs that are infused with Astronomical Knowledge and our Original Ways of Knowing.  

Instinctive Consulting was created 11 years ago by Samantha Doxtator. It is a Personal Development Consulting business that specializes in teaching life and employability skills that are grounded by traditional values. We are a team of 4 people who travel mostly throughout Southwestern Ontario facilitating workshops for many Indigenous Organizations, School Boards, Colleges, and Universities. 

Over the years we have built many great long lasting working relationships with many Indigenous Communities and organizations.  

In the past few months, Samantha has delivered the Indigenous Astronomy presentation and at every location there has been at least three of the participants asking for the presentation to come to their community as well. That shows the need for this knowledge is there, and that everyone is ready for it. 

I am applying to Solve because I believe that building a bridge of communication and research will be a miraculous compliment for both of our knowledge and understandings.

I believe that Solve will help open doors for me that I never knew existed, I have an intrinsic goal to push my thoughts to new levels and I know Solve will help me do that. 

I currently do not have any specific barriers, I am just looking to blend Ancestral and Modern Technology together to take my work to new heights. 

Samantha Doxtator has built many working relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations over the last decade in Canada and the US.

Samantha uses her 25 years of communications skills to help build new bridges of understandings and nurture intergenerational gifts, creativity, and innovation. She is thankful for her journey of being a lifelong learner, researcher, teacher, and knowledge keeper. 

This solution is innovative because it connects Indigenous healing methodologies with Astronomical Knowledge. It will also connect Ancestral and Modern technology. 

It can change the market by offering new understandings and connections towards healing. 

My goal for the next year is to travel to as many Indigenous communities as possible to build the momentum and help them break up with oppression and focus on nurturing intergenerational gifts. 

My 5 year goal is to build a learning centre that focuses on Indigenous Astronomical Knowledge. A place where people can tour through and learn about all of the connections we have to the cosmos. Then, they will have the opportunity to do hands on innovative projects. It will be good for all ages. 

After everyone leaves, their spirits will be uplifted and they will be able to feel like they can accomplish anything. 

I will measure by goals by asking participants to answer a few questions before the presentation and then answer the same questions after the presentation.

These questions will be:

Do you know which direction the moon rotates and why?

What are same elements that humans and stars are made of?

What phases of the moon do we use for planting?

What is it called when a star dies?

Which planet is Earth's closest sister?

Which moon phase do you cut your hair to help it grow longer?

How larger is the sun?

How do you measure how much daylight you have left with your hand?

Which plant protects the garden?

Which bugs are ecological markers when to not pick medicine plants?

How do we receive gifts from Skyworld?

What do we use for the nixtamalization of corn?

What is the most magical time of the day?

Everyone will be able to answer these questions with confidence after attending the presentation. 

My theory of change is that after sharing this knowledge with the participants, it will create a shift in their mind and way of thinking.

This shift will help to improve confidence, build healthy and stronger relationships with family and community, improve mental health, increase communication skills, and be proud of their ancestors. 

Recently, I had a lady, her son, and grandson, attend the presentation. She sent me a message telling me that her grandson was so excited about everything he just learned that it was all he talked about for days. It connected their family to have a better sense of open communication with one another because they all had learned something new.  

Currently my technology level is very simple on the spectrum. I am sharing this knowledge with virtual and visual technology. 

My larger plans to grow and build would be a self sustainable building that offers a virtual reality experience through the cosmos to the beginning of time with our creation story.  

I include how some of the planets are female, male, and neutral, and I share with the participants that the neutral planets are the Two-Spirit planets, and that being Two Spirit is a gift and it comes from the cosmos.  

Currently my business is operating as an independent contractor. 

I provide consulting and workshop services that do sometimes include products. I travel to their location for the delivery of the service. 

My key customers are Indigenous Organizations majority being in Southwestern Ontario. 

My proposed project is an extension of the work that I am already doing therefore I am currently financially sustainable. 

When I start to grow and build my long term goals, I will then look for grants with a combination of raising investment capital. 

Currently my business is averaging 20k-30k monthly in sales. My take home is about 25% of that. 

I haven't applied for any grant funding as of yet. All of the income comes directly from organizations paying for services.