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Hi auntie, My great great grandma was indigenous and my grandpa never found out much. I’ve felt “called” to know more. Am I allowed to follow the path? Or because she was my great great is that too far back to try and reconnect with heritage now?

Identity and knowing who we are is one of the most important journeys we can walk. I encourage you to explore your identity. This is a great start. There are many ways you can do this, yet there is no right or wrong way for doing this. I am always…

Dear Auntie, I’m Russian/Cherokee. Unfortunately the Cherokee side of my family has turned their back on me because I’m "white". How can I find out what band of Cherokee I am? How can I connect with my culture if I don’t know it? Where do I star

Well, good for you for taking things into your own hands. To find out what band of Cherokee you are from, you’re going to need a little information like, names and ancestor’s location. This can help to narrow down the band that your family is from. Ideally, asking your family…

Hi Auntie! How do I accept that I’m not Native? I was to told we were Native on my dads side but I don’t know the tribe and It’s just a drop in me. Native culture played a big role in my life but I don’t want to be a wannabe it’s sad for me to let it go.

Thanks for writing in! There are all types of identity: personal, group, cultural, racial, ethnic identity…and the list goes on. The really great thing about identity, is that ultimately you get to decide how you want to see yourself. If you have a strong connection to Native traditions; integrate that…

Can I own something Native American related if I am white?

Well, it’s really up to you and how you feel about it when you see it. You really should only surround yourself with things that have a positive effect on you. If you’re writing in about it, perhaps you feel a little nudge that this should not be in your…

Is it okay for me to own an American Indian Movement flag if I am white?

Well, it’s really up to you and how you feel about it when you see it. You really should only surround yourself with things that have a positive effect on you. If you’re writing in about it, perhaps you feel a little nudge that this should not be in your…

Hey Uncle, Is there any Native lead suicide prevention hotlines out there?

Unfortunately, there are no specific National Native led suicide prevention hotline numbers that I am aware of. We do understand that one is needed though. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide I would encourage you to reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255…

Yá’át’ééh. I am half Native (Navajo and Colville) and half African American. I grew up on the Colville rez and during that time I faced racism from my tribe for being part black. I am visiting the Navajo rez this spring and I’m nervous about facing it aga

Yá’át’ééh, Thank you for this question, it is a challenging question to answer. It saddens me to hear that you have experienced anti-Black racism, or lateral oppression, by your Native American communities. Racism in this country is challenging to address, and anti-Black racism can be even more challenging to address…

What are some beneficial traditional indigenous medicinal practices?

This is a great question. I would start by talking to your elders or family members about what is used in your tribe, as every tribe has different and various practices. A lot of this can depend on the location of the tribe, since communities generally use what plants and…

What is intimacy?

Intimacy is often found in relationships. Intimacy represents a close connection with another, rooted in trust, love, respect, comfort and safety. Without these seeds, it can be difficult for intimacy to grow. Looking at some of the forms of intimacy, there is sexual intimacy and non-romantic intimacy. Sexual intimacy is…

Why is there high rates of mental illness within the indigenous communities and what traditional and non-traditional ways can we combat it?

Dear Malia, What we know is that there is a strong connection between health disparities, including mental health issues, and the impact of colonization, primarily the impact of historical trauma on Tribal communities. Currently, Native American communities are looking to Traditional Indigenous Knowledge (TIK) and culture to address these conditions.…
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