**Support Veda: A Lifelong Advocate & Survivor Rebuilding After Betrayal**

I am writing this on behalf of one of my closest friends, Veda. Most people who know Veda today see an incredibly talented artist, a hyper-creative spirit, and a devoted mother. But I have known her since we were teenagers, and I know the foundation of the woman she is today. We survived one of the most notoriously abusive residential schools in the U.S. together, where she was detained against her will for nearly five years.

While that experience was meant to break her, I watched her turn it into fuel to become a force for change. For over twenty years, she has been a tireless human rights activist and a trusted expert on children’s and disability rights, working with everyone from grassroots groups to international media outlets to protect the vulnerable.

### **A Life of Art and Service**

Veda has always marched to the beat of her own drum, guided by a worldview rooted in optimism and kindness. Her path to becoming an artist was paved by years of dedicated service and study.

* **Visionary Art Roots:**

Long before she picked up a tattoo machine, Veda spent years volunteering her time to support the mission and events of a prominent visionary artist in New York. It was there, surrounded by creativity and purpose, that she began dreaming of her own career in the arts.

* **A Lifelong Student:**

Veda has spent years studying healing modalities alongside indigenous women. Her commitment to this is a core part of her identity; she continues to study under and volunteer her time to assist one of her teachers whenever called upon.

* **The Transition to Tattooing:** Two years ago, Veda pursued tattooing as a career. She chose this path not just as a creative outlet, but as a way to eventually offer tattoos as a healing modality for other trauma survivors. Most importantly, she built this career to provide a stable future for her **two disabled daughters**, whom she loves and advocates for with every ounce of her being.

### **The Current Crisis**

Veda is a strong, stable person, but she is currently facing a situation I have never seen her deal with before. She placed her trust in someone she believed was a friend, only to have that trust deeply broken. This betrayal has left her in a devastating position.

* **Immediate Displacement:**

She and her family have been forced to uproot their lives instantly.

* **Loss of Livelihood:**

Her tattoo equipment—her primary tool for supporting her girls—is being withheld from her, despite her having clear ownership and receipts.

* **Targeted Hardship:**

She is also navigating the immense emotional strain of false reports made to authorities during this already vulnerable transition.

### **How Your Support Helps**

Veda is a person who stands up for marginalized people and fights against abuse. Now, she needs us to stand up for her. She is currently working to secure a safe, permanent home for her family, but the immediate needs are urgent.

**Your donations will go directly toward:**

* **Immediate Shelter:**

Covering hotel room costs to keep her family safe while they wait for housing or shelter placement.

* **Securing Belongings:**

Paying for storage costs for what remains of their essential belongings.

* **Rebuilding Her Livelihood:** Replacing her professional tattoo equipment so she can get back to work and earn an income.

* **Recovery & Legal Steps:** Navigating the legal path to recover her property and rebuild her stability.

Veda’s work ethic is unmatched, and her heart is even bigger. She has spent her life showing up for others—in the survivor community, in the art world, and for her children. Let’s help this incredible woman get the fresh start she truly deserves.

**Please donate if you can, and share this story with your community.** Whether you know Veda from her advocacy work, the art scene, or her time as a survivor, your support reminds her she isn't in this fight alone.

— *A lifelong friend who cares deeply* ❤️