My Impact

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. You can speak up for peoples being bullied

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. We take the pledge to stop bullying in our schools and community. My name is Melissa C. and I am 21 years old and I am the Librarian & Youth Program Coordinator for the Yerington Paiute Tribe in Yerington, Nevada. I am so fortunate to have such eager and dedicated youth in my community. Lorci F. (left) and Maddie B. (right) came into my office one day and asked, “How can we volunteer? ...We want to be leaders.” I say, “Its anti-bullying & domestic violence awareness month. Let’s raise awareness about bullying.” Maddie, Lorci, and I researched the subject and found a pact on girlshealth.gov and chose to swear by it. Next week (Oct. 23-27, 2017) is Domestic Violence Awareness week in our community. Our Human Services Department is putting on a parade walk through our tribal neighborhoods to raise Domestic Violence Awareness and we will be walking in the parade with our signs to raise anti-bullying awareness. In addition, Maddie. Lorci, and I are in the works of putting together an anti-bullying presentation to give to our ‘Taboosi Youth Club’, our tribal youth club for 5th-12th graders. In retrospect, bullying is a problem in every community. It’s up to us as leaders, young and old, to step up, do something, and make a difference, so we have a positive impact in our communities. I, as a tribal leader, applaud my youth for stepping up and taking the initiative to be leaders to their peers.

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. Hi my name is Cheyenne What we would do to stop bullying is stand up for our native people we are all family and we all need to take care of eachother no matter what so if we someone bullying we will stop and say "hey that's not ok this is family you're in native country you should treat everyone with respect. " by treating everyone with respect you will earn the respect you deserve. I would also sit down and explain why I stopped what they were doing. I would tell them " bullying is not okay cause the golden rule is always to treat people the way you would want to be treated and if you treat people badly that's how people could choose to treat you.... I know I might be being a bit ruff but I think you need to understand that we are all family here at at lummi nation High School and even though someone isn't blood doesn't mean you should treat them any different from what you do with respectable elders or you sisters or brothers. " Stop the bullying because it not the awnser..

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. These are my most favorite little cousins. I take care of them all the time.

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. If someone is being bullied then we can talk to the person being bullied and make them feel better about themselves and talk to the bully about what they were doing and how it affects others.

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. When I was younger I always had only seen bullies on TV never really in my own life, I’ve always been blessed to not have been bullied or never to never do that deed myself. Now that I’m olde and in high school I realize a lot of my “friends” are kinda shity people to others, I know my place and that’s equal to everyone else. Luckily my school is big enough to where you can find people who are the absolute best and the type of people that I’m gonna be their friend for a lifetime, they’re the best kinda people for me. I know you didn’t ask for this but I’m gonna share anyway hahaha. This last spring we decided to go behind this huge sand hill climb this hill into this skinny and deep canyon we call the Crevoss, in the Crevoss there is a cave that you can climb in, so we did and had a fire it was raining too, it was so much fun we had food and everything I got really close to these people that day because we eventually got arrested and banned for bureau property.

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. No body was born a bully .. teach your children to treat others with love and respect from the beginning

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! During the month of October, we asked you to share what can you do if someone is being bullied. My submission is a picture of me and my uncles. Why I chose this picture is because in the Hopi way you look up to your uncles and they teach you certain thing about life and your responsibilities. They showed me multiple things but one I take to heart is how they looked after everybody in the family and through the village as well. They were the “older brothers” I didn’t have, so when I went through bullying at schools they were the ones I could go to. Growing up it always seemed that they were the ones bullying me cause I was always so much younger but really they were just preparing me for real life. What they did, made me a better person because I would see kids getting bullied all the time and most people won’t do anything. Although l, I was raised a little different I was the sheep dog for example protecting the heard of sheep from the wolf. I was the kid that would always fight the bullies no matter how big or small. Well I am much older now and have 2 nephews that go to elementary school and they are going to school and getting bullied. So it is now my responsibility to be tough on my nephews but let them know that I will always be there for them but at the same time build their self esteem and teach them to stand up for not just themselves but the other kids who may be effected by bullying. So I hope I am as great of an uncle to my nephews as my uncles were to me. Much thanks, Brenden Dallas

During the month of September, we asked you to share a picture of your campus and tell us your goals for the school year! This photo is of my mentor, Chelsea Wesner. She is a graduate professor at the University of South Dakota in the Department of Public Health. She mentored me in my research this summer at the Sanford School of Medicine where I studied the American Indian representation in the SD community health needs assessments.

During the month of September, we asked you to share a picture of your campus and tell us your goals for the school year! I want to succeed in school, by graduating and getting up there. I am thinking about going to college. I love school, I love my physiology class. I love learning about my body. And I love that I get to see my friends.

During the month of September, we asked you to share a picture of your campus and tell us your goals for the school year! My name is Sonya, I am a 5th year college student at Seattle Pacific University. I am majoring in psychology with a music minor. I play the tuba in the college band. My senior year, I started the process of making a Native American and Indeginous people's club, much like the First Nations clubs at other colleges. I have been working dillegently to introduce Native American heritage to campus. From acknowledging Duwamish land and introducing the president at the largest gathering on campus called Day of Common Learning to teaching carving with my friend Thunderheart Williams (8th generation carver). I brought a few of my colleagues back to my own tribal lands for a powwow field trip on the Kitsap Pennisula. I am a student leader for the Multi-Cultural program's Early Connections program for students who are of multi-ethnicities, low-income, multi-ligual, or first generation students. We are committed to making an excepting family community on campus to help as a support system. We are a growing community considering our school is prodomentally higher class and not ethnically diverse over all. I was an intern for Seattle Indian Health Board, where I helped with community meals and signing up kids for boy/girl/cub scouts. My hope for this year is to finish the requirments to make my club official. I want to graduate in the spring. I want to see my sister graduate from Northwest Indian College during the winter. I plan to communicate with other schools First Nations clubs for develop new and fun ideas for students. I would love to influence younger students to become interested in music/band. In the future, I hope to help tribal adoption workers and maybe become one myself.

During the month of September, we asked you to share a picture of your campus and tell us your goals for the school year! My goal for 2017-2018 school year is to be more involved with school. I've recently started a Native American club at my high school. I'm the founding president of it and have successfully had a Suicide Prevention Awareness walk and Candlelight visual. My next goal is to open up to the community and share the hardship that Native Americans face in their lifetime. I'm also hoping to get accepted into an Native American art school (IAIA). In hopes of becoming a leader and role model there too.

April 22nd was Earth Day. We asked you to show the world the beauty of our lands using #IndianCountry and tell us what you're doing to protect this precious resource. Gather from what's good. As a part of a rural community, we use subsistence as a part of our ways of life. It is in our culture, and tradition to live off of the land we live on. To reduce shopping from an industrial market, we plant, gather, and harvest. It's important to be self sustaining as a community so that people have options for where they buy their food from. Buying from local farmers or creating your own local resources is a sure way to keep the local economy driven, and support the fight against global warming. Local eggs are laid by happier chickens than industrial laying chickens. I believe it's in our culture to respect the animals we have dominion over, and give back to them a life they deserve-free roaming happy lives. We should do this so we feel good about what's on our plates. I believe that if people in communities work together, they can provide for each other the ways we have always known. By sharing food, fishing spots, gardens, and chicken coops we can keep our communities healthy and happy. Agriculture and subsistence is a bonding experience between us and the land. It is important to know the ways the land reacts to how we treat it. Get involved with your local farmers, gardeners, chicken coop owners and subsistence gatherers to always have the best pick for your plate. It's a sure way to make friends, feed your family and save the planet.

April 22nd was Earth Day. We asked you to show the world the beauty of our lands using #IndianCountry and tell us what you're doing to protect this precious resource. Not only as we use the Creators Earth as a resource for everyday life! But we use it as also a creative canvas to create beauty by using the Earth's beautiful landscapes and scenic views. Without the Earths own beauty it will be hard for humanity to find such an inspiration from the planet we live on! And to Keep it's beauty we must start to take care of it.

April 22nd was Earth Day. We asked you to show the world the beauty of our lands using #IndianCountry and tell us what you're doing to protect this precious resource. I want to win

April 22nd was Earth Day. We asked you to show the world the beauty of our lands using #IndianCountry and tell us what you're doing to protect this precious resource. This was taken at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. My son and I were picking up trash along the lake. We do this every Wednesday to make sure the lake is beautiful and free of trash.

April 22nd was Earth Day. We asked you to show the world the beauty of our lands using #IndianCountry and tell us what you're doing to protect this precious resource. This is at Mt.Scott in Lawton, Oklahoma. We go once a month to clear the land of trash. We love this Oklahoma mountain and want to make sure it is here for all people to enjoy!

During national nutrition month in March we asked you to share what traditional foods you're eating! Check out Alicia's entry. "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" This is a great quote for anyone able to perceive its meaning. March is the month that my tribe considers to be the official start of the new year. Spring time is upon us, and is the time for the preparation of new crops, the planting season. My tribe is more accustomed to the planting of foods, raising cattle, having livestock. Our traditional beliefs coincide with what grows on our Mother Earth. We give thanks and are respectful to what our Mother Earth provides. In return for what we receive, we give back by keeping the land clean, planting, raising animals. It's safe to say all tribes have this belief. We all have the same mindset that our Mother Earth provides. Keeps us healthy, nourished, and spiritually in the right mind set. This generation's become accustomed to just getting fast food or eating out at local restaurants, which isn't always a bad thing. But in this more modern contemporary society it's always good to revert back to our traditional ways. Again, give that respect for what was given to us since the beginning. Our traditional foods and ways have been present to our tribes before we were even born. Before our grandparents were born to some. The traditional foods we choose to eat have been around long enough to prove that it comes healthy to our diets and our daily lives. It nourishes us, and spiritually there also comes representation for why specific foods were chosen for us to eat for many generations. Foods that we raise, grow, hunt, gather. The photos I've chosen to share come from being with my grandparents and eating with them for a day. We butchered a sheep. We ate corn, and onions that were grown and raised by my grandparents. My entry for this contest is again my humble share of words once again and a visual to go with it. Thank You, and best wishes and hopes to you all for a great new harvest and year.

During national nutrition month in March we asked you to share what traditional foods you're eating! Check out Naatani's entry. This month I am eating freshly butchered mutton from my grandparents' herd of sheep. Navajos have eaten mutton for many years and depend on their livestock as a foundation for traditional livelihood.

During national nutrition month in March we asked you to share what traditional foods you're eating! Check out Alicia's entry. Winners announced at the end of the month! We made blue berry oatmeal bars

During national nutrition month in March we asked you to share what traditional foods you're eating! Check out Skylar's entry. Winners announced at the end of the month! ᎪᎨᏗᏜ ᎠᏩᏗ ᎨᏐ ᎡᎾᎨ ᎡᎯ ᎡᎩ (Towards spring time, it time to find wild onions) Every year around spring time, me and my family will go into the woods to gather and pick wild onions. Its is a tradition passed down from generations. It is a good way to get outside and enjoy each others company.

During national nutrition month in March we asked you to share what traditional foods you're eating! Check out Russell's entry. Choke cherry tea and deer meat which both were harvested this past year.

During national nutrition month in March we asked you to share what traditional foods you're eating! Check out Alicia's entry. Wild ginger is one of my favorites and mountain milk weed is hard to work with but it's amazing when your finished also acorn is collected every year, it's season for deer if it's in my yard

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! My submission is about the communication in a relationship is key without communication it falls apart. This picture is of me and my boyfriend Isaias and our baby (puppy) Khaleesi. Without being able to communicate and listen to each other you cant get over any situation. You have to listen and communicate with your partner, and if you can't do that, then i dont think he or she is worth it.

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! He is the father of my son. We may fight at times but he is a really good father and a really good friend when I need him.

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! What I look for in a healthy relationship is the opposite of an unhealthy relationship. I am 15 years old, so I am still learning on what a good relationship is, but I do know what a unhealthy relationship looks and feels like. An unhealthy relationship is where your significant other cheats, lies, keeps secrets and is untrustworthy. Which I guess you can say that a healthy relationship is where your significant other treats you with respect, have honesty, and stays loyal. Everyone desires this perfect relationship where everything is going so well and there’s no conflict, but every relationship has conflict so in a healthy relationship there is going to be conflict which you have to believe that you and your partner can get through the problems that you face, also how you end a argument gives a sign on how healthy or unhealthy your relationship is. The best predictor on a divorce is how you end a fight/ argument. I’m in a relationship as in right now you can say we have a healthy relationship. My partner and I tell each other everything because we trust each other.

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! It's me and all my freinds I'm the one in the blue hoodie

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! Feast in honor of the foods return

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! Here are the main things that I look for in a relationship. They are important because they can help you determine if a relationship is abusive.

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! This is what I look for in a relationship: 1. A great sense of humor 2. Maturity level 3. Older then me 4. Kind hearted 5. Sense of intelligence 6. Athletic 7. Has goals in life 8. Social Basically, I would like to find someone that is encouraging to me and my dreams because I will do all the same for them. Someone that'll be truthful to me and can be themselves around me. I don't want any secrets between the two of us. I want someone I can take home and introduce to the family. I want someone that, if we were to fight, they won't give up on us right away. A person that won't mind that I'm busy with school, family, sports, and work. Someone that understands that I'm a busy person, but I will make time for them. A guy or girl that is beautiful outside as they are on the inside.

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! Fry bread

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! This is what I look for in a relationship: 1. A great sense of humor 2. Good goals in life 3. Level headed - intelligent 4. Well put together 5. Kind hearted 6. Loves animals 7. Enjoys the outdoors 8. Social - good people skills 9. Loves to celebrate holidays 10. Enjoys planning outings

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! Well, for me personally I am quite a picky person. In a relationship I am looking for someone who can accept me for who I am and my ethnicity. It am a strong believer of finding who you are and taking this time now while your young to discover yourself. It's very important to love yourself before loving someone else. I myself have not been in many relationships, but what I have learned is that being single isn't a bad thing. It helped me find my likes and dislikes. Being single has taught me not to settle for less. Meaning I'm not going to date just anyone because I want to be in a relationship. I want someone who will respect me. Sounds funny but I want to be treated like a princess. Why would I want to be with someone who doesn't have me as a priority? I am a loyal person and I will give the same in return. Its very important to me that in my next relationship, if they are not Native American like me that they respect my culture and traditional ways.

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! What I look for in a relationship

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! I really want to win so I can pay my mother back for something. I really want it

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! I want someone who makes me a better person and helps me succeed, who also is fun and caring and can make me smile no matter what

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! My boyfriend and I have been together for almost a year, it's been amazing! Not only is he my boyfriend he's my bestfriend. We met online as just friends, for almost a year ago. He's so funny and sweet, he makes me feel so special. Everyone hates because were so different, but everyone ways; opposites attract. 🙂

During February, LOVE was in the air and we asked you to share what you look for in a relationship! Happy Valentine's Day! I want someone that'll love me for me and see my inner beauty. Not just what's on the outside. That type of person is very rare.

We asked you to rethink the season of giving for December's contest and to share how you're giving to make a difference. Giving my nephew the knowledge of the old ways. Took him on his first hunting trip and hes holding the horns of his first deer he helped skin

We asked you to rethink the season of giving for December's contest and to share how you're giving to make a difference. I really want to win, because I really need to pay mom back please

We asked you to rethink the season of giving for December's contest and to share how you're giving to make a difference. Not really good with words sometimes, but sitting bull is one of my great great grandfathers. His blood runs through my veins. Most people I meet think we don't exist.

We asked you to rethink the season of giving for December's contest and to share how you're giving to make a difference. WHO YOU CALLIN PINHEAD ??!

We asked you to rethink the season of giving for December's contest and to share how you're giving to make a difference. I'm a young man how is alone and needs to get my career going

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I am very proud to be a Native American and to show it everyday with pride and value our traditional ways.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative Aleigha Reinsberg- "strong resilient indigenous"

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative This is one of my best selfies, That I really love and love being native!

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative This is me at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Fairbanks, Alaska. I am wearing a traditional head band made with arctic fox fur and some beads. Our people wear them for dancing or just because. I feel proud to wear traditional things.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative At an event in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and it's opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline in Port Angeles, Washington. Standing with my tribal members from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and all of those who came to support this event. #NoDAPL #WaterIsLife

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative It is an old photo from the summer. but me and my Unči pick out our own sage, from the sage field and she thought it would be a cool idea to take a picture. #WeRNative

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative We are proud natives

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative This is me (in the blue) and my Mom at a wedding a few summers ago. She is my hero, and who I get my native heritage from. #wernative

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative Me speaking at the Miss Cherokee Competition

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I am very proud of my heritage, and I am so thrilled to be Native American. I love to tell people about my culture because they do not expect it due to the color of my skin. I am a very proud Native!!

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative This is my daughter Luella, she is the greatest blessing I had ever received. Everything I do is for her, I want to do whatever I can to make this world better so she and those she will grow with don't see the ugly madness that is happening all over the world.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative This is a video of my nephews who work really hard ever time they dance and drum to do the best they can. They leard that you can win some and lose some but you always come out with a new family members and friends who will support you in anyway. Even going head to head they still laugh

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative Smudging, praying for our loved ones, near and far; here and gone; for the ones yet to come. KiseManito Creator Notawhinan Father Kisahkitin we love you Ninanaskohmtin I'm thankful for Pimatsowihn life

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative In researching tribal traditions I discovered that our women would tattoo their faces, and couldn't help but wonder how I'd look if the tradition was big today. I actually went out in public like this, and got so many compliments on how beautiful I looked; and surprisingly more people stopped to ask me how I was doing or tell me to have a good day than usual. Many asked about what the look was for, which made me really happy because I love talking to people about my culture & eventually getting into Native life, activism, etc. Doing this started a lot of conversations that eventually led to what's going on in ND with Dakota Access and helped me to convince people to stand with Standing Rock. I don't know about others but I think if face tattoos didn't come with such a stigma, this would be a tradition to bring back. Chahta hapia hoke!

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative Recently I've taken to beading and this was a result of that

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative My mother died 2 months ago and I just wanted to enter the contest.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I have been canoe pulling since 2012 about 5 years and during those 5 years canoe pulling has kept me drug and alcohol free! I am trutly blessed to have canoe pulling in my culture

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative Helping Jacksonville news crew do a segment about the local natives of Jacksonville(timucua) I love acting and giving representation of Natives tribes through any type of media. Giving us, the 1% a voice in anyway I can. I stand with standing rock!

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I am wanting to support my native people. Love you guys!

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative So November is Native American Heritage month right? Well for me, Native American Heritage month is every month. I'm a registered Comanche from my mom's side, but I'm also Paiute/Shoshone from my dad's side. I am a modern-day Native American. I know that having confidence and faith in who I am and taking pride in my heritage is a part of being native... staying close with nature is also what being native is... understanding our "culture wound" (our past) is a part of being native... listening to our elders, "standing up" with standing rock and praying for those who are fighting for our clean water is being native... There is so much more of what being native is. Being native is about being strong, clear minded and open hearted. Having faith in ourselves and all together is what being native is, proof is how we shook the world by spreading #NoDAPL across the internet which resulted in top trending results on Facebook and Twitter ...amazing. We stand up for each other and others, over 500 tribes gathered to protect each other. Anyone or any schools who choose to celebrate Native American Heritage month should pay attention not just to Sitting Bull but also the modern-day Native and be taught about what we go through as modern day native Americans (the less than 1% in North America.)

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I just want to be recognized as apart of the 1% and let it be known that I am Extremely proud to be who I am and the culture I am apart of! PS. I Stand For Stand Rock!

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative These are my four children all enrolled members of the confederated tribes of warm springs. Left to right... Tasha, Dalton, Cheydon, and Kahne Herkshan. Photo taken after a varsity girls soccer game. Each of my children are very proud if their native heritage and each of my children have set goals to go to college and come back to help the tribe prosper.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I am submitting to bring awareness of the plights we as Native Americans experience every day. It is now time that our voices be heard, and that we be granted with the same decency and respect that is given to every other American. With what's going on in this world, from political unrest to the oil protests at Standing Rock, the world is watching and it is our time as Native Americans to rise up and fight to protect what is sacred and no longer be passed off into the shadows as it was in the past.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative When you are native you fight for what you believe in.

During Native American Heritage Month, we asked you to show the world what it means to be Native using #weRnative I've been playing in the band for 5 years. I've learned 3 different instruments in that time. I've been accepted to play in the all district band, marching band, concert band and jazz band. Music helps me to express my feelings and and gives me something positive to focus on. Music is healing, it always has been and always will be.

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! We asked you to share what can you do if you think someone is being bullied. My daughter is 13 yrs old, she goes to a monthly youth Hi¤Dasubač meetings, she attended one yesterday, and came home with this picture. She is too young for the age required, and I'm too old, 35, but still would like to submit what she does.

The End Of Bullying Begins With You! We asked you to share what can you do if you think someone is being bullied. Me being nice to people

This drawing is from an idea that I had seen on my reservation before. I took that idea and turned it in to something that has meaning to me. This picture represents part of who I am. I am half native and half white, on my native side I am both Hopi and Pima. This picture is a Hopi sun (Tawa) and within the sun is the other part of me which is the Pima man in the maze (U'ki'ut'l). With the two drawings joining together I can express how I feel, and at the same time show the beauty of color and simplicity. Even deeper, it shows the brighter and duller events in life and if you keep pushing and in the end the outcome will still be beautiful. The background has meaning too but just symbols. Thank you for the opportunity!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My name is Terrence McKay and I come from the Nooksack Indian Tribe. I am very passionate about my culture like Canoe Journey and War Canoe races. I'm a very kind person and I'm respectful. I'm a person that is willing to keep my culture alive, so our culture can move on to the next generations after me. This photo is me in a (war canoe) single in Swinomish.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This photo is me taking photos of Nooksack Tribal Kids showing our way of culture. This picture was taken of him dancing to Canoe Journey songs. Nooksack teaching our youth our culture so they can move it on to the next generation.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My 5 month old daughter (Oneida Dakota Hawaiian Mohican Nations) Traveled to Peacefully protect our waters for HER grandchildren! Standing Rock Relatives we are with you! #NODAPL #WATERISLIFE This earth does not belong to us, it belongs to the next generations

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Me and two friends drove over 1,200 miles to Cannon Ball, ND to stand in solidarity against the Dakota Access Pipeline with our brothers and sisters of Standing Rock. This is something we believe in so it was worth every mile. #WaterIsLife #LoveWaterNotOil #NoDAPL #rezpectourwater

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Over the summer, our Youth council and members from our high school club paired up with a tribal elder who showed us how to properly pick "olith" "salt grass." Which is a rooted grass that is sacred to our Yokut people. It is a medicine, snack, and candy. Our goal was to teach the young ones how to keep a tradition alive

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I was 1 of 25 native students in the nation selected to attend an intensive medical workshop in Washington, D.C. While there, we learned many important skills like business etiquette, but we also learned how to show our native pride in our work. We learned that we could treat patients with the same sacred ways that we would treat a member of our tribe and we also learned how to incorporate native medicine ways into western medicine.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My grandparents left our ancestral lands of NunatuKavut after their time in the residential school system. So now, living in an environment that's very different from our homeland, the challenge is to find that connection for my spirit. I love attending the Powwows here and dancing speaks to my very soul, but with the lack of Inuit representation I find that I feel most at home when I drive myself to the coast and drum on the beach. Because I know that those waters that touch my toes and hear my prayers are the same waters that Sedna keeps back in NunatuKavut. Saimu!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Summer to me is making traditional elm bark berry baskets with my sister. I stripped the elm bark from the tree and used strips of elm to sew the sides of the basket. The elm bark made a noise like a shishigwen or a rattle while coming off the tree. The same sound is in our creation story. We used black ash for the rim! I use my basket all the time because it is super strong!! Iw!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I am showing my native pride out in the City of Gallup after the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Parade at Taco Bell in my Full Zuni Traditional attire!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! When I was 8 months old, my mother introduced me to the dance arena. Ever since that day, I have fallen more and more in love with dancing. Dancing in the circle isn't just a cultural thing to me, it's become part of my life. When I was little I would constantly switch from wanting to dance fancy shawl to wanting to dance jingle. But as I matured, I realized that dancing jingle came more naturally to me, especially dancing old style. I don't remember the first time I danced old style, but I remember the feeling of just knowing that it felt like I had found exactly what I was supposed to do. By dancing old style I fit in more with my community, Mille Lacs, where the healing dress has a very sacred and special place. Last year I was so fortunate to be chosen as the Mille Lacs Senior Princess, a title that I danced with in 4 different states at 16 different powwows. My title not only gave me the opportunity to travel to powwows I had only dreamed of going to (like Gathering of Nations, where my video takes place), but it also built strong new friendships and gave me an amazing connection to my reservation, a place where I had felt previously so disconnected due to the 30 miles between my hometown and reservation. Dancing isn't just a cultural thing to me, it's part of my life. And I am so grateful that I was brought up in the dance arena.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I was so excited to graduate high school and get the opportunity to wear my dress, shoes and jewelry. So many people after graduation wanted to take pictures with me and of my dress. Was the best emotional day.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Wild raspberry picking, daily doses of Lake Superior and trails my ancestors walked, all in my own backyard. Summer for me, is soaking up sun and traditions. I am a maker, student, and storyteller. I culturally continue through the artistic process, each phases equally important from the last. My work encompasses the new age, a contemporary outlook on healing and life - creating a modern tradition in itself. Not giving, but passing along a piece of hope, beauty, and positivity with each story and work I share.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I am interested in health programs for American Indian youth that promote healthy eating, diabetes prevention, and exercise. I believe that through health and wellness programs, American Indian youth can health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and alcohol and drug abuse.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I am interested in education, especially STEM programs, I would like to have the opportunity to help other American Indian youth in my community, tribe, and across the country by promoting education. I would like to see more programs for American Indian youth in STEM fields, I believe that furthering your education is a way to help our American Indian people.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This summer I went on the tribal canoe journey to Nisqually. I sing, dance, pull in our canoe and represent royalty for my tribe. I went with my dad to schools to sing and dance S'Klallam songs and teach about our culture.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I painted this picture of my depiction of the creator Shukwayaˀtísu. The creator is very earthly and peaceful. I'm in my third year of learning the Oneida Language this year, its very rewarding getting closer to your culture.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! During the summer months our Ceremonial Grounds have our Green Corn Ceremonies, which is our New Year celebrations. My favorite dance is our Ribbon Dance. All of our dances are sacred and hold a special place, but my favorite memories growing up was getting ready to ribbon dance with my sisters/cousins and mom. I never thought I could love this dance any more than I already do, but that changed when my niece started dancing last summer. My niece is super shy, but everything changes when it’s time to dance. She has a pure love for our Ceremonial Grounds and Dances. When we first danced together she watched me the whole time making sure she was okay. This summer we danced together again, and every time I looked at her she had the biggest smile and was always watching me. Before we danced she asked at least one hundred times if it was time to get ready. I realized the love I have for dancing is definitely being passed down. Being her aunt is the greatest joy I have now when dancing. So how do I #Represent? I #Represent by participating and passing on our traditions to the future generations.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My family and I, all went huckleberry picking in Washington state.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This is a photo of my siblings and I (I'm the girl on the left) when we went to the United National Indian Tribal Youth (unity) gathering. Day 3 allowed us to show our culture.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I'm running for Miss Odawa Nation and this is one the photos that were taken for my portfolio

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This picture was taken while we were leaving from our 27 mile pull. This was Thursday the 28th.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I have to find an organization to do an internship for school. I chose to work with Native seniors at the Mosaic Center in Central Phoenix. Before my hours count I am volunteering. I plan on continue to work with the Mosaic Center until I graduate. I have many ideas and look forward to doing a lot of good work for my elders.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This was my trip last weekend admiring mother nature's biggest tree creations the sequoias. Cleansing my mind, body, and spirit I spent a whole week connecting with nature like my ancestors did.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! It's a picture of a Teepee that we have ceremonies in. We sacrifice a night to pray, give thanks, and eat medicine. Some people may know it as Native American Church, but we call it the place where they lay the medicine.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Miyaquwe! Etew naquwital nichill Christina. Hello! My name is Christina. This picture is of my cousin, my sister, and I. We show our Native pride through our dance. We're Cahuilla from Santa Rosa Reservation! We are part of a nonprofit intertribal Native American dance group and dance as a part of a annual show in our town. The intertribal native American group that we are in is held together by Steve Alvarez, a fellow Native American! Growing up my mother didn't really teach us that much about our culture besides the basics. Although, in the group we spread knowledge about our cultures to each other sometimes we learn things we already knew and sometimes we learn new stuff. Either way we enjoy learning! We love to show our Native pride through our dancing and singing, especially through the show because we show others about our culture also! I hope that others can also spread the knowledge of our culture to those who don't know nothing about it. To show and prove that us native Americans are still here and strong!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Riding into Bear Paw Battlefield wear my ancestors fought until they couldn't fight anymore. I rode for my tribe and representing my family. Bear Paw battlefield is where Chief Joseph surrendered. I couldn't be anymore thankful to experience this.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Being at the lake fishing and enjoying nature. Love to be in the water! Eastfork Lake is beautiful! Always wanted a boat.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My mother in law and I sewed and beaded these buckskin moccasins for my 6 month old son, Aegon Nymeros Cleveland - who is of Hochunk, Navajo, Ute, and Chippewa heritage. He loves to dance with his choka (grandpa) singing and we decided for our young dancer, he would need mocs!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Our tribes new canoe first journey pull from Muckleshoot to Puyallup

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My daughter on our way to the 2016 Ojibwe Water Gathering at Ojibway Park, Garden River First Nation, Ontario. Showing off her beaded hat and quill star earrings. Visited Sailt Ste Marie, learned some more family history, met relatives, and put our tobacco down by Lake Superior.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This past weekend was my tribes annual powwow..and I was crowned Senior Miss Keweenaw Bay, my job is to go to other powwows & represent Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. This picture I submitted is the Jr. Miss Keweenaw Bay & I as we were being greeted by friends & family after we got crowned.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Every day, I wake up thinking about how great it is to be apart of a community of people and how we all share a common trait. We are all native, indigenous people to society and should represent it accurately to others when we go out in public, post to social media, etc. So, I like to where a Native cap that shows that I am proud Native American person and want to represent my community everywhere I go.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Nya:wëh sge:noh This summer I am spending my time with other Native youth in my community horseback riding, canoeing, beading and learning about each others tribes and cultures.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My submission is a picture I myself edited of pictures I took at a Youth camp called Today We Follow Tomorrow We Lead. The youth camp is put together by my father Darrell Begay, my step mother Anita Begay and myself. This youth camp is how I celebrate my native pride because we do so much in our camp as in: arts and craft, horse back ride, fun walk, bike ride, and prayer services (Native American Church). We have it every year in the summer for our youth. We are sponsored by Running Strong American Indian Youth, who provides us with School Supplies and much more to donate to students who attend our camp.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! My brother, Jacob Hewlin, and I are pictured with Mrs. Dawne DuShane at the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe's Rev. C.H. Richardson Building. Mrs. Dawne was a member of the Longest Walk 5 group this year, and we had the pleasure of meeting her and so many other wonderful American Indians. We also had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Lydia, Will, Raymond, Sarah, Blue, and many more. Our tribe welcomed them into the community with some good food and some good dancing. I was asked to do the women's shuffle, or "eskanye ganiseh". Of course, they were tired from their journey, so not everyone came down to the fire to watch. I enjoyed teaching a few of the women how to do eskanye. I also enjoyed the talks that we had about our ancestors. My brother and I had so much fun. The Longest Walk is a movement created by Mr. Dennis Banks who is an activist and a tribal leader for all Native Americans that tackles issues impacting Indian Country and the country as a whole. This year, the Longest Walk 5 was done to address domestic violence and the war on drugs.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I #Represent. Whether it be Modeling, Hunting or being student body president; I #Represent!

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! 140 years ago my people won a victory at the Battle of Little Big Horn and captured the flag that I am carrying. I am honored to call myself Lakota and I live on the Rosebud reservation. I am Little Miss Rosebud Rodeo. I am requested to carry the American flag and tribal flag at several rodeo and public events . I ride in honor of my people and veterans past present and future. #REPRESENT Native Pride

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! How I represent my Native American culture is I go fishing I go canoeing and camping all the time. I also attend a lot of power to show my daughter what she is also. I am also starting to make my own Native American items like drums ,flip flops things that represent being Native American. I love being part Native American. I am Native American, black and white. My mom is native and white and my dad is black and native. I love everything about my culture and I definitely love to represent it and I would love to learn more about it.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I took bamboo threads and bought a loom and some beads and I taught myself how to create beaded bracelets. Pima were well known for their creative ability.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This summer, I'll be at powwows raising money for the Inaugural Powwow hosted by the American Indian Society of Washington D.C. Here's a video of me dancing over the 4th of July weekend! #REPRESENT #InagurualPW2017

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! This picture is of myself participating in a traditional name giving last year for one of my relatives, but is also a similar dress code if you were to be participating the in annual Tribal Canoe Journey. Very strong medicine that comes out from both gatherings, anyhow. Aho.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I went to a leadership institute in sante Fe new Mexico and they took us to UNM law school which I am very interested in

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Just gonna be me tell trust go fly the flag off my balcony

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Summer's to us Muskogean people mean our ceremonies and stompdance. This picture is from us stomp dancing as the sun goes down.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Being in the We R Native program was amazing. We got to meet new people and enjoying each others company.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! I am Inupiaq, and this summer to show my Native pride I am starting my Suicide Prevention film project with many Native youth in Alaska, Hawaii, and in other places. Suicide has become an issue within Native communities, and it poses a big threat to our native youth. My first film that addressed substance abuse in my home-village attracted 1,000 views, and I spoke at two public events about it! This Suicide Prevention project will make my second public short-film that addresses a native communal issue; it will be a youth-led, cultural film. I am also attending the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) Conference as a "25 Under 25" honoree. At the conference I will meet many motivated young leaders, and discuss my Suicide Prevention film project with UNITY and my peers. Hopefully, I will receive the funding to get the film-aspect of this project started as soon as possible! As Native people we stick together, and unite to tackle life's obstacles.

For the summer 2016 contest we asked you to show us how you #REPRESENT Native pride. Check out some ways others are showing their Native pride! Today, June 4th, I ran for Jr. Miss Muscogee (Creek) Nation. I recieved awards for 1st runner up and Miss Congeniality. Although I did not win the title of becoming Jr. Miss Muscogee (Creek) Nation , I have been looking for other ways to show my passion of teaching out native youth to love their cultures. So, I decided to apply to be an ambassador for WeRNative.

During May we asked you to share how you're making a positive difference in your Tribe or community. I made a difference in my community by planning a beach day clean up for my youth council and Chemawa Youth Coalition to be apart of! Everyone had fun. There were snack and prizes! I planned this project in recognition of Earth Day. Although, everyday is Earth Day and environmental service projects are good year-round! 🙂

During May we asked you to share how you're making a positive difference in your Tribe or community. This creative writing piece was published in "Four Winds" adult literary magazine. My main focus of this piece is the character of "Tiger Lily" from the Peter Pan movie. I wanted to create her into a character that Native girls could look up to instead of a character that makes fun of our culture. I hope to continue using my writing to break through stereotypes and document how truly beautiful and important my culture is. Tiger Lily Claims Herself Emily Clarke Fake Lily had cousins who shaved off their facial hair and painted their eyebrows on with sticky eyeliner pencils bought from the Reservation pharmacy. She never wanted to look as artificial as they did, but most of all she didn’t want to have to worry about sweating off her brows during summer. Lily wore makeup if she wanted to, but she also liked to leave her face bare. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She kept the answer to the “Who you trying to look good for?” questions that her cousins harassed her with every time she went out to herself. She didn’t want, or need, anyone’s approval. Baby Daddy Last night her Facebook status read, “I don’t need a man!” But this morning as she helps her son down from the table, her emotions seem to sink a little lower. Her phone rings and she doesn’t pick it up until after the caller has had time to leave a voicemail. It’s her mom. “Lily? I heard you don’t got no man now! Who you think gonna pay your bills?” Lily sighs and slips the phone into the pocket of her jeans. She squats to hug her son. “I’ll pay the bills, baby. I’m going to take care of us. We don’t need anyone. Don’t worry, Mommy’s got this all figured out.” The Ranch Lily had grown up on a ranch. When she was eleven, her dad bought a pig that they would eventually butcher. Since she had grown up around these kinds of things, she had no problem with the fact that the pig would be fed until it was grown and then be killed for meat. One morning she woke up to find her dad and cousins butchering the pig outside in the yard. She went outside to ask what had happened but her dad sent her away. Lily ran around the other side of the house and found her uncle. “What happened to the pig?” She asked. “The damn dog got in there and tore it up,” her uncle said. “What happened to the dog? Lily asked, already knowing the answer. “We can’t have dogs killing our animals, Lily.” He had already shot it. One Size Fits All Lily was never overweight but always had enough meat on her bones. As she got into her teen years her chest and hips filled out and she learned to appreciate her curves. But she couldn’t help but feel out of place when her friends used their lean bodies to win softball championships or when guys literally swept them off their feet. Lily was not fat or skinny, she was not short or tall, she liked being average. But sometimes she felt as though she had no shape, like she was made up of nothing at all. Maybe she was just an image, something that even she didn’t understand. She sometimes liked to disappear; she liked to feel as though she was floating away. But eventually, she would drift back into reality and take her place, standing quiet and strong.

I am making a difference by learning about many problems I never knew existed that feed off of our Native people. I never knew there was more to than just being Native. I never was taught my Sugstun language, I wasn't taught about traditional song and dance, or how to make regalia, or even bead. I didn't know we had an alcoholism problem, or drug problem, or relationship problems. I thought that was "normal." When I was 16 I was introduced to a Powwow and got hooked. I knew I wanted to make a difference in my community and send positive examples back to my homelands. I put in applications to become royalty and used the titles to reach to our people and speak for the youth who thought they never had a voice. I've been involved with indigenous women empowerment, suicide prevention, substance abuse prevention, I even perform at the local prisons with a drum group I belong to and give the prisoners home, I have been asked to motivational speak for the first time for a basketball tournament and youth conference, protesting for the freedom of the Fairbanks Four, protesting against shell arctic drilling. I stand strong with these wonderful experiences and opportunities under my belt. I even made my own Regalia's, learned to bead, and start speaking some of my language. When the crowns were gifted to me, they weren't for me, they're for the youth, the people, the elder, and my ancestors. I hope my example of love for the people will reach the heart of our native youth.

During May we asked you to share how you're making a positive difference in your Tribe or community. Building a sweat lodge and gathering medicines with people wanting to learn our heritage