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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…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Culture and Language, Identity, Life Tips, Non-Native Allies

Why are Native Americans offended by the use of school Mascots like “Indians” where it’s used as a symbol of pride, strength, good luck, and lifelong connection among alumni? No disrespect is, or was, ever intended. Some schools have had mascots like this for over 50 years and now there are efforts to destroy them and the memories and history they represent. Why?

Thanks for writing in! This is such a great and timely question. For me, it’s a matter of individual perspective. When we group people and say that all Native Americans are offended by mascots it is incorrect. When we see people as a group, it takes away from knowing that…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Activism, Intolerance, Life Tips, Non-Native Allies

Hi! I’m trying to reconnect with my indigenous background, I know my grandfather is Mescalero Apache and Navajo, my grandfather and my great grandfather were disconnected from their culture so my mother doesn’t know much about it either. I want to ask my grandfather about our culture but he’s in his 80s now and suffers from dementia. Also I’ve only ever met him 2 times as far as I can remember. I just don’t want out heritage and ancestors to be lost, I’m trying to hold on and reconnect. Do you have any advice at what I can do?

Dear Darby, Thanks for reaching out! 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…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Identity, Life Tips

hello, My name is Jasmin and for the sake of a longer story i will just say that I am Latina. I am on a journey of reconnecting with my ancestral roots and, through no real evidence, I believe that those roots are, at least, partially indigenous. I am working on decolonizing my mind and have lost my faith in the religion that i grew up in (which is catholicism) I want to explore the faith and culture of my indigenous ancestors but I do not know if they have survived today and if they are how I can reach out and if they are not how it is i can find that identity that I am desperate to find because right now I’m so lost and lonely. I don’t know what to do or how to start. Please help?

Dear Jasmin, Thanks for reaching out! 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…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Identity, Life Tips, Spirituality

Hello. My name is Rosi. My mom is not Native, but she’s Romanian and has dark hair, hazel eyes, and tan skin. So has her mom and grandmother. My father is Native (Oglala Lakota). I am very, very pasty white, with green eyes, and redish/blonde/light brown hair. I am very involved in my culture, but I still get those natives that treat me like some wannabe wasicu. It is not my fault that I am so white, and I cannot change my skin color, although many times I wish I could. How can I try to make them see that I am just as Native as they are??

Dear Rosalia, You’re not alone in feeling this way. I have people write to me all the time about not feeling “Native enough”. Being half-Zuni, I have felt this myself. What I can tell you, is that you are enough…of everything. Many people of different backgrounds share this experience. However, it’s particularly difficult for…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Identity, Life Tips
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