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Skimm’d while setting intentions for the new year
January 5, 2022
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Daily Skimm

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

"I would do it once a week if I could" — Gal Gadot, on giving birth. Ok, Wonder Woman.

Paying Up

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The Story 

Canada just reached the largest settlement in its history.

Explain.

Since the 1990s, tens of thousands of Indigenous children have been separated from their parents and placed in state care. In many cases, these families were suffering from issues like poverty, not abuse. But the Canadian government did not fund services on reserves as it did for non-Indigenous children. (Think: Indigenous children reportedly received “70 cents on the dollar” compared to other Canadian kids.) And so the kids were removed from their homes. Other Indigenous kids experienced different forms of discrimination like delays in state services.

This sounds like a massive issue.

It is. Only 7% of Canadian children are Indigenous but Indigenous kids represent more than half of those in foster care. After years of advocacy from Indigenous groups, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in 2016 found that the gov’s practices were, in fact, discriminatory. Now, Canada has agreed to pay $31.5 billion. If the deal goes through, half of that money will go to an estimated 200,000 Indigenous children and their families. The other half will go toward reforms — like helping children aging out of the system and better on-reserve housing. But this is Canada's latest acknowledgment of injustice.

Go on.

Canada has a long history of violence toward Indigenous communities. From the 1880s to the 1990s, an estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and put in boarding schools. It’s a practice the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called “cultural genocide.” Many were abused — and unmarked graves are still being discovered to this day. The abuse extends beyond the treatment of Indigenous children. Just last month, the government settled a lawsuit over contaminated water on Indigenous reserves.

theSkimm

No amount of money can address the decades of trauma Canada’s Indigenous community has had to endure from family separation — first through residential schools and now through foster care. And yet, that is what Canada’s government is offering.

And Also...This

What's got people concerned…

Tesla. The EV company is facing backlash after opening a showroom last week in China’s Xinjiang region. Since 2017, the Chinese gov has cracked down on Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the country’s northwest, detaining more than 1 million people. There've been reports that Uyghurs have been kept in forced labor camps and that women have been sterilized. Last month, Congress passed legislation banning all imports from the region unless businesses can prove the goods were made without forced labor. But Tesla enjoys a lot of privileges in China, including getting to operate a factory there without Chinese involvement. Now, human rights groups and US politicians like Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) are calling the company out for helping to “cover up genocide and slave labor in the region.” And telling Tesla to pull out.

Who people are talking about...

Andrew Cuomo. Yesterday, a New York DA said his office won’t be pursuing a misdemeanor sex crime charge against the former New York governor. Last summer an investigation found that the governor sexually harassed at least 11 women – including an executive assistant. The woman, Brittany Commisso, had accused Cuomo of forcibly placing his hand under her blouse in 2020. And filed a criminal complaint against him. Cuomo has consistently denied the allegation. Now, prosecutors say that while the survivor was "cooperative" and "credible," the DA would not be able to prove the crime happened “beyond a reasonable doubt” during a trial. Commisso's lawyer said she plans to take this to civil court. Cuomo has not responded.

Who people are hitting back at…

Novak Djokovic. Yesterday, the Australian Open said the tennis star had a medical exemption from their COVID-19 vaccine requirement — allowing Djokovic to play later this month. The tennis competition still requires all other players and staff to be vaccinated (pending an exemption). But the move's got people saying Djokovic — who's a vaccine skeptic — is getting special treatment. And has others saying he's really living up to his nickname “NoVax.”

Who’s the new (American) girl on the shelf…

Corinne Tan

What pairs well with paper towel rolls

Balsamic vineguh.

How to Skimm Your Life Challenge

Show of hands: How many times have you resolved to start your day with meditation but began with social media scrolling instead? Us too. Make it more manageable by committing to one 10-minute meditation today (like this one). Because you can do anything for 10 minutes — especially something good for you. Closed eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

PS: Stay in the right headspace all month long. Sign up to get texts from us so you never miss a challenge. And catch up on any you miss here.

Skimm Well

Photo: Ritual | Design: theSkimm

In not-so-fun news, it turns out that even if you love a kale salad and always get your five a day, you still might not be getting enough of certain nutrients the body needs. In fact, the CDC says vitamin B6, iron, and vitamin D shortfalls are pretty common.

Enter: Ritual’s clinical-backed, obsessively researched multivitamin for women. It has key nutrients most of us don’t get enough of from food alone. Plus it’s clean, vegan-friendly, and free of shady additives. Oh, and Skimm’rs get 35% off their first order. Yes, you read that right. Talk about a vita-win.

Pop Cultured

New year, new episode. Follow and listen to “Pop Cultured with theSkimm,” every Tuesday, as we unravel the trending stories you and your group chat can’t stop talking about. Like the #FreeBritney movement and why you should avoid the fast fashion trap. Oh, and other buzzy moments that topped headlines (think: Travis ScottNicki MinajDave Chappelle, and Colin Kaepernick). No matter what, we’ve got you covered. Check out “Pop Cultured with theSkimm” each week here.

Skimm Picks

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Something new to try this year. That’s not a recipe. We’re talking Noom. Aka a digital platform designed to help you live a healthier life. It’s all about showing you the 'why' behind your decisions. Give it a go.*

2. A card that can help you make big purchases. Without facing big fees. The Ascent says this one’s got the longest 0% intro APR period they’ve seen. If you qualify, you won’t pay any interest ‘til mid-2023. And you’ll never pay an annual fee. Cha-ching.*

3. Something to take the ‘run’ out of ‘running errands.’ So you can spend more time doing…literally anything else. With a Walmart+ membership, you can get fresh groceries, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, batteries, and more delivered to your door for free.† Seriously. Start your free trial.*

4. The luxe sleepwear you keep seeing on Insta. And keep meaning to try. Now’s a great time to order this brand’s temp-regulating, eco-friendly pajamas. Because Skimm’rs get 15% off ‘til Jan 11 with code SKIMM15. Pro tip: Grab the slipper socks while you’re at it.*

5. Handy items to keep at your desk. You're back from the holiday break and determined to make 2022 the best year yet. Get back into the groove of things with this screen cleaner, a llama-shaped stress toy, and cable clips that'll keep your charging wires organized.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

†$35 order minimum. Restrictions apply. 

Skimm'rs

We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.

On a roll…Brittney S (MI). Despite a heavy workload, she completed her personal challenges to write and publish 12 books and record and share 12 YouTube videos.

Rooting for…Jessica M (WA). She’s checking off her goals, including finishing her MPA during a pandemic, moving to Washington, and starting a new job. All of this while dealing with losses due to COVID-19.

(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Diana Rodriguez (NY), theSkimm's Margo Ghertner (NY), Lauren Castleman (PA), Sara Diedrich (CO), Sarah Lang (TX), Laura Snyder (IN), Hannah Robinson (NC), Holly B Prather (GA), Kelsey Bard (NE), Sarah Schopfer (CA), Hilary Graham (WI), Virginia Isaad (CA), Allie Thomason (IL), Lauren Berryhill (TX), Kristine Zerkowski (CT)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Skimm More

Move over metaverse, we’re still in the Matrix. We sat down with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as they Skimm’d “The Matrix Resurrections” and spilled which superlatives best describe their fellow cast members. Check it out

And if you’re looking for other smart ways to spend your time...

Skimm’d by Rashaan Ayesh, Kate Gilhool, William Horn, Julie Shain, and Mariza Smajlaj

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