ASK YOUR RELATIVE QUESTIONS

Tags: 01 - Art, Culture, & Language, 02 - Identity, 13 - Life Tips

Hello, I am from the San Pasqual Indian Reservation. We had to take are tribe to court to fight to get our Per Cap my question is do you know how long it should take in order for you to get your money. Also do you have to hire a Native America Attorney to help fight case to get your Per Cap.

Hi there! Thanks for writing in and sorry it took a while to get back to you! One of the many strengths of Indian Nations today is tribal sovereignty. Tribal sovereignty means that tribes have the power to govern themselves. Each federally recognized tribe retains the rights of an independent sovereign nation apart from the local, state or federal government.…

I’m looking for new ways to spend Thankstaking…any suggestions?

A lot of us are thinking about new ways we can redefine while recognizing the myth of Thanksgiving. First, however you decide to celebrate is okay. It’s up to you! I did ask some of the “Ask Your Relative” team what they will doing and they told me: Going to Alcatraz to take Thankstaking back! Goanna create their own fam…

I’m Navajo but was raised in the corn pollen way. We live in Southern California now because we’re in the military however I want our son to be involved with his Native roots. How do I find him a mentor to start being in powwows?

Yá’ateeh, hello, my name is Cousin Corey. I am Ask Auntie/Relatives Navajo cousin here to help with some questions. I’m glad your reaching out to us with this question. Living away from Native communities does get a little tough connecting to cultural practices of all sorts. Some things to think about to become any kind of dancer is to get…

Hi, My question is what is a good age to come out to your parents?

For starters, I’m sending you a big virtual hug! Props to you for reaching out and taking an important first step to your person voyage of self-discovery: coming out. It can be scary and hard to come out, especially when you probably have so many other things to think about. In spite of the challenges, your sexuality is a natural…

I’m a 19 year old Two-Spirit who identifies as male. For me to feel comfortable I cut my hair because growing up even on my Rez girls had long hair and unless you have “Native hair” boys have short hair. I want to grow my hair but I don’t want my tribes people to start calling me female names/pronouns. Any tips?

Greetings! First off, congratulations on reaching such clarity in your gender identity. It can take people years, well into adulthood, to understand our genders given how little gender diversity we tend to be taught about at a young age. For me, I have found that the way people perceive my gender, and the genders of those around me, to be…

I recently found out I’m 1/8th Indigenous on my mom’s side and want to learn more about my tribe. When I ask my mom, she says I’m not enough blood quantum and should learn about ALL indigenous cultures rather than our specific tribe (which she won’t tell me) if I’m interested. Even when I ask for other family’s contact info, it’s a toss up on whether or not they’ll even acknowledge me because I’m trans. What do I do?

Greetings! First off, congratulations on reaching such clarity in your gender identity. It can take people years, well into adulthood, to understand our genders given how little gender diversity we tend to be taught about at a young age. While I know that some people in our society may never be good at recognizing and respecting others, I have decided…

Hi Uncle. I am watching the FX on Hulu’s series Reservation Dogs. The latest episode focused on suicide. This is bringing up a lot of issues for me and my friends. Where can I get information or help I need too?

Hi, Thanks for asking! Suicide is the intentional act to end one’s life. Many tribal customs forbid or limit talking about suicide, death and dying as it is the belief that talking about it will make it happened. In order to help others, it’s important to talk about suicide and suicide prevention in a respectful and honorable way. Suicide among…

Is there protocol on how many ribbons you put on a ribbon skirt and how many?

Hey Rebecca! Ribbon skirts are all about celebrating our individuality yet symbolizes empowerment and is a universal symbol of resistance, land, and water protection and a symbol of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). I had to ask my friend who makes ribbon skirts about the protocol and number of ribbons. She said, “Ribbon skirts are a form…

Hi. I have a friend whose 4 yr old son is dealing with a rare tumour on his pituitary gland. Would it be appropriate to make him a star blanket as a symbol of healing and strength?

Dear Relative, I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s son, thank you for being a good relative and reaching out about him. I hope healing comes to him soon. Star quilts have a long and beautiful history, starting with buffalo robs, and are given to mark important life events. For the Great Sioux Nation, the star quilt —…

If I don’t speak Spanish, does that make me any less of a BIPOC?

Hey there! Thanks for writing in. We all come to the places we are currently standing for many different reasons. Part of this is due to the efforts we put forth individually, part due to the support of our inner and outer circles, and the other part is circumstantial; what has been imposed on us or is out of our…