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Can I Get an Elder?

Q: Where can I find Elders that I can talk to? We are everywhere! We’re at pow-wows. We’re at ceremonials. We’re on the reservation. We’re in urban settings. We’re in rural settings. We are going places and meeting people and going to dances and songs. And we’re going to coastal…
Answered by Grandma Nay
Topics: Culture and Language, Life Tips, Relationships

Native In the City Blues

Q: How can I connect to my culture when I live in the city? Go to as many events as you can. Find friends in your community who are also Native, who are maybe your age or maybe a little bit older who can offer you some mentorship and some…
Answered by Grandma Nay
Topics: Culture and Language

Approaching Elders

Q: How can I approach an Elder? You approach an elder with respect. Historically among my people, the Cheyenne, we would put a piece of lump of coal in front of an Elder, especially if they were a person who’d been through our ceremonies to protect them from anything we…
Answered by Grandma Nay
Topics: Culture and Language, Relationships

Connect with Elders

Q: How do I connect with Elders? When you’re trying to find the words to even talk to an Elder, when you get to that point, I think it’s important to remember that our knowledge, our practices, and our culture are so rich and are so beautiful and carry so…
Answered by Sister Q
Topics: Culture and Language, Relationships

We were always told that my great grandmother was apache. Her son,(my grandfather) and my mother half passed. And many of my elders have passed and the ones that are alive only recall that my grandfather did sing and speak in a native language when they were small. I understand that we are not recognized as native unless proved. But as far as the Apache being hunted. I feel like there aren’t any records even more so for the apache in Mexico. We know my grandmother was born in 1894 Guanajuato and passed in 1964 chihuahua. I guess my question is, how is there a way to research more Info in Mexico? And is there any help we can get.

Thank you for writing in. I’m sorry you’re going through this journey without the presence of many of your elders. You’re doing the right thing by connecting with the elders who are still with you and by asking for help. I hope I can help point you in the right…
Answered by Uncle Paige
Topics: Culture and Language, Identity, Relationships

Hi Auntie! I recently have been using crystals but am curious about Native American religion since I am Native American myself, I don’t want to betray any religion but I just want to know if I can believe in both!

Gunalchéesh, thank you for reaching out. You are not the only person who is finding balance in their traditional and personal spiritualities. You can believe in whatever you like! As indigenous people, we constantly walk in two worlds. With one eye we see the western and eastern ways, with the…
Answered by Uncle Paige
Topics: Culture and Language, Spirituality
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