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HI, I want to make a Ribbon Skirt inspired mask to share my heritage and art. I want applique something on top, can it be two columns of a bldg I enter each day? be anything? Or does it have to be cultural? Can I put two coo

I love this idea! Ribbon skirts are about women being empowered and remembering our sacredness, Tala Tootoosis shares that “It’s teaching them [women] to be empowered and that they already are resilient. Women already have power. A woman is protection because she is a woman. And when you have that…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Culture and Language, Identity, Spirituality

In Maine, many native children were taken and placed in non-native families up until the 1970s. I believe my late grandmother was one of these children, but I don’t know if these records were kept. How can we reconnect when there was so much displacement?

Yes, our history of being colonized has left a dark cloud over our identities and familial ties, but the good news is that there is a large community of folks with similar stories who have got your back. I applaud you for beginning your journey of discovering more about who…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Education, Identity, Intolerance, Non-Native Allies

i’m 16 and pregnant. my parents love my boyfriend. he’s 19 and has his own place. i’m already graduated and work full time. i practically live with him. but i fear when they find out they’ll make me move back home and keep the baby from him.

Thanks for writing in! You might find that you will need a lot of support during this time, so I am proud of you for taking such a positive step by reaching out. You’re doing the right thing by looking for help and support. There’s no reason you should go…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Physical Health, Relationships, Sexual Health

Why to hawks and turkey vultures keep appearing in my dreams? Why did a vulture actually drop a feather to the ground right in front of me and not fly away? It’s feather landed less than a foot from a hawk feather! I’m not Native American but much respect

Dear Cody, Every tribe has different associations with animals, so what may mean one thing to me may mean something completely different to another tribe. For example, in my tribe owls are considered good luck because they used to warn us of invading tribes. Whereas, the Navajo consider owls to…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Culture and Language, Spirituality

My father is full native(secwepemc and cherokee) my mother is full white (german) i was born very light skinned. I do not look native even tho i am status indian and live on reserve. Is it disrespectful if i learnt to dance jingle i feel wrong even asking

You’ll find dancers have extensive Indigenous backgrounds. The first thing I would do is encourage you to get a mentor. This person can help guide you through all the things you’ll need to know about jingle dancing. They can coach you on dancing with the traditions of style, meaning, and…
Answered by Auntie Manda
Topics: Culture and Language, Identity, Spirituality
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