All Questions
Halito! Got something on your mind? You’re not alone! Try searching for questions we’ve already answered by typing the topic or key word.
All Questions
Hey, hello, hi! Looking for an answer? Search and filter the questions we’ve answered in the past by using the topic or key word.
All Questions
Keshi! Looking for an answer? Search and filter the questions we’ve answered in the past by using the topic or key word. Elahkwa.
All Questions
Yak’éi yagiyee, hello! Looking for an answer to your question? You can search for questions we’ve answered by typing the topic or key word.
Dear Auntie Jane, will I ever stop feeling lonely?
Date added: 04/25/23
Hi there! Thanks for writing in. Let’s talk about loneliness and some follow up questions you might have Why do I feel like this? Loneliness is a starving for connection. Some people can be alone and not feel lonely while ...Read More
By: Auntie Jane
I don’t feel very feminine these days and so I am wondering if it would be disrespectful for a woman to wear a ribbon shirt as opposed to a ribbon skirt? I’m sure other folks might also wonder about the reverse. Would you have to identify as Two-spirit?
Date added: 01/18/23
Hi there, Thanks for writing in! For these types of questions, I want to be transparent in that I may not provide a traditional, straightforward answer, but instead be here as support and validation in you coming to that answer ...Read More
By: Auntie Asia
Hello relatives, I’m 22 years old about to turn another page. Lately I’ve been feeling depressed and anxious about everything. I’m struggling to find my purpose or what I want to do. I think work and school is taking a toll, I’m full time in both and still don’t know what I want to go to school for. How did you decide this? What helped you? Any advice?
Date added: 01/11/23
Hey there! I’m so glad you wrote in. First, I want to give you big props for reaching out for some support and encouragement. That’s what true bravery is, listening to the truth of what’s in your heart and taking ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
Dear Auntie Manda, I have recently started to seriously try to reconnect with my Choctaw culture. My Great-great Grandpa, was an enrolled member of Choctaw Nation. He was orphaned as a child and enrolled in 1903, signing the Dawes Roll and moving to Oklahoma. For some reason, his children we not enrolled, which meant neither was my Nana or my father. My mom is full white and my dad is mixed, which makes me look very ambiguous to people because of my lighter skin and freckles. I’m afraid of overstepping by reconnecting since I’ve been socialized as a white person. I’ve started learning Choctaw and Tribal history, but I’m afraid to openly claim my heritage as a part of my identity for fear of backlash, not just from people who don’t know me, but from people that do. A few times, I’ve had friends and even family ask me, “Why is this so important to you? Why now?” I can’t put it into words, but I’ve always felt so lost and have had no cultural connection to anything growing up. I don’t want to feel disconnected anymore. Also, another thing that complicates my existence is the fact that I’m transgender. Perhaps, this is another reason why I feel lost. Not only do I want to feel like a whole woman, I want to feel like a whole person. Anyway, do you have any advice?
Date added: 11/17/22
Hi there, Halito relative! Yakoke for writing in - I always get a lil extra excited when I see other Choctaws reach out 🙂 Let's see where I can support you! I definitely want to acknowledge what youv’e written, because ...Read More
By: Cousin Asia
What is 988?
Date added: 08/22/22
Hey there! It’s Auntie Manda! I wanted to let you know about a new resource that you can put into your mental health toolbox. It is called 988, which is the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (used to be called ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
Hey Auntie, I keep hearing a lot of scary things about fentanyl. What’s the deal?
Date added: 06/7/22
Yes, everyone is talking about fentanyl and for good reason; it’s more common than most think and right now the rates of accidental overdoses is the leading cause of death for 18 to 45 year old’s. Fentanyl is a synthetic ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
I am a white woman of Ukrainian descent who has been involved in aboriginal ceremonies for the past 12 years. I have been so grateful to have more recently participated in a Ghost Dance and a Sun Dance and a Yuwipi ceremony. I am always careful to honour protocol and wear an appropriate long skirt (hard being 6 feet tall to find one long enough!). I have wanted to be as respectful as possible. I am curious if making a ribbon skirt or a dress to do Ghost Dance is allowed for a participant if they are not native. I have received very mixed messages. Some aboriginal people welcome it and find it extremely respectful and others have said it is appropriation. I feel the only dresses that are suitably long and modest are often from another culture- African, Mexican- unless I make something myself. Can you share your thoughts with me?
Date added: 03/17/22
I’m glad you asked this question, Please continue to take these precautions and ask these questions, as a non native interested in another culture’s traditional artwork. Good to hear that you have respect for other Native cultures, and coming from ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
Hi Auntie! I’m a white Canadian citizen and I was wondering if it is disrespectful of me or if I am overstepping my boundaries by dating someone who is indigenous? I’ve dated someone for a couple of years who was indigenous and we got along very well, but his mother and friends were not welcoming to our relationship and neither was my mother. His mother preferred that he end up with an indigenous woman in his future and my mom the opposite with me being white. I ended up breaking off our relationship because I didn’t want to cause any hardship between him and his mother and friends, but it really broke my heart because he was also my best friend not just my partner since we were best friends since middle school
Date added: 03/9/22
Hi there! Thanks for the question. When it comes to relationships like these, it sometimes happens that one or both sides of a family do not approve of the union – it’s tough. Unfortunately, this approval should never have anything ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
I am from what I know a primarily white woman with a 1/ 4 Portuguese mixed. I am definitely attracted to native men. I was with a Native American Women’s Riding club and who’s is the Sister club of red rum. I am drawn to the culture, traditions, oral history and want to learn more. I am single and would love to meet some Native men in my are that are actively involved with their culture. I know there are Native dating sites out there but not sure how that would be received. If I joined one would it be disrespectful as I have never taken a DNA test and know my full genetic make up. Thanks for your support
Date added: 03/9/22
Hi there! Thanks for reaching out, glad to help answer your question. Firstly, it’s important to realize that your preference of attraction is totally up to you, and it’s something that’s personal to each individual. There’s no problem in wanting ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
I’ve heard there might be actual nature spirits portrayed in Pokémon. Is this true?
Date added: 03/9/22
Hey there! Thanks for the question. I’m not exactly sure what ‘nature spirits’ are in this context but I’m certainly familiar with Pokémon. As Indigenous people, we believe that all things both inanimate and alive hold a lifeforce or energy, ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
I’m an native elder (Pomo) my older grandchildren were given a Indian name and younger ones do not. I no longer know of spiritual person to do that. So would love to give my grandchildren a Indian name is it proper for me to have that privilege.
Date added: 03/7/22
Hello! Thank you for writing in! There are several bands of Pomo Indians that are Federally-recognized Indian Nations, many who have Culture & Heritage departments or tribal programs to provide individual, specific guidance on tribal naming traditions and protocols. Identity ...Read More
By: Auntie Manda
Hey! I’m someone who plays a lot of Dungeons & Dragons, and as a result, I tend to write a lot of fantasy worldbuilding. I’m writing a group of people who revere nature (called druids in-game) and have really powerful magic that allows them to befriend the wilderness, shapeshift into animals, etc. They live in nomadic hunter-gatherer groups, which I would describe as “tribes,” because it’s much faster than “small, tight-knit nomadic hunter-gatherer groups.” Is this usage of the word “tribe” offensive?
Date added: 03/7/22
Hi there! Thanks for writing in. This service is for Native youth but we do try to answer all questions when we can. Your question is a complex one, and I’m happy you’re reaching out to try to make the ...Read More
By: Uncle Paige
