Yá’át’ééh, Way̓, Hello!
Thank you for this question and reaching out for help.
I’m sorry to hear that this has been your experience and continues to be something that weighs heavy on your heart. You are not alone in this experience because of the tied relationship between Native American and African history beginning during the founding moments of this country.
The Native American and African experience in this country is intimately tied together. At the point of contact on Turtle Island (All of North and Central Americas) the taking of lands from Indigenous people had a significant impact on both Native peoples of Turtle Island and African peoples who were forcibly brought here during the transatlantic slave trade. These events created parallel and lasting experiences for these two groups of people that continue to this day, which can have incredible deep and strong bonds given the shared experience, but can also have the negative affects that you have been experiencing. Another consequence to the lives of both Native American people and African American people are the ways in which these populations are treated in this country, and the relationship that is created between these populations.
I want to tell you that you are Native enough and you are Black enough. People not accepting who you are does not change that. What matters is that YOU know this in your heart. When you need to, however often needed, take time to remind yourself of that. You are more than enough.
Many people who are mixed-race, like you and me, face the dual experience of these biases in their everyday lives. I cannot speak to what your experience may or may not be within your own Tribe, but I am so happy that you want to get more connected to your culture and traditions. I have personally found a lot of fulfillment and peace in this journey of making connections. And, I’ve discovered that most of the time, the things I was worried about never every came up or if they did my practice of letting things go, has helped. This comes with time and experience, so make sure to be gentle with yourself along the way.
Here are some tips along with ways to help feel pride in yourself and your culture:
- Get Support: Talking to or spending time with supportive friends, family, professors, or mentors can be an effective way of releasing stress and reducing isolation. You are not alone!
- Get Empowered: Find a way to push back in your own small or big way that is empowering and healthy. It can reduce feelings of depression or helplessness, and give frustration and anger a positive outlet. This will look different for different people in different situations. Whatever your style, it’s important to have a way to make your voice heard.
- Practice Good Self-Care: In dealing with the pressures of being exposed to negativity and biases. It can be easy to lose track of the things we need to do to take care of ourselves – make sure this is a priority. It may sometimes be hard to resist using unhealthy ways to cope, such using drugs and alcohol excessively, or isolating oneself from the broader community. Taking good care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health will leave you better equipped to cope with the stress of bias, and make empowered choices for yourself.
I hope that you are able to find your voice and support and have a positive experience while visiting Navajo Nation, who is filled with incredible, beautiful, and welcoming people…make sure you set your eyes and your heart towards them as that is how you find beauty.
Good luck,
Auntie Manda
