Native 101

I was really, and I mean REALLY looking forward to this presentation. I’d been invited by my aunt Vicki Pinkham to present at Pinehurst K-8 for their Native American Heritage Month Assembly. Their family comes to Clear Sky meetings every Tuesday, and they’re very supportive of their children, and their daughter attends Pinehurst. Scott and Vicki are Professors at the University of Washington and do a lot of outreach for our Native students in the sciences. I found this to be a special opportunity to try and reach the younger, non-native kids who are at the perfect age to soak up new knowledge. I am deeply aware of the struggles of our Native students who encounter micro-aggressions from their peers at school (sometimes not so micro), which in my experience, more often than not stems from ignorance and…sometimes a lack of respect. As these children were still very young, I was intensely determined on making a presentation that they could both learn from, and feel comfortable asking questions all in a respectful, appropriate way. They’re children, and any child can learn anything at a young age.

I began with the basics. I figure they can learn the in-depth political stuff when they get older. For now, I just wanted to give them the context; a simple but diverse, picture of Indian Country. After introducing myself, I knew their first questions would probably be around my regalia, so I taught them the word, “regalia,” and had them repeat it. I figured many of these kids had been to Powwows or at least heard of them and making sure they didn’t say “costume” is definitely a box to check off. I then launched into the presentation using “Did you know…?” questions. I always found these to be engaging when I was little, and I hoped to use it again with presenting some basic 101 about Native Americans in today’s world. I had to draw from a book I had read from one of my courses, “Native Roots,” which essentially documents the long history of how modern day technologies can trace their origins to Native and indigenous cultural practices. From the Constitution to Popcorn, from medicine to sports, Native teachings have been incorporated and used to propel society into the future. As I spoke, I found myself standing a little taller, speaking a little louder and I could feel a happy warmth spread from my crown, all the way to my moccasin-clad toes. It was a beautiful feeling that would persist for days afterward. 

I reflected on a life changing experience I had in the 2nd grade. One of my classmates said to me, “All you believe in are your stupid Indian legends!” Her words taught me to question what other people think of when they hear the word, “Indian.” It made me ponder how our youth and children are educated and whether or not there’s a way for we as Native people to feel validated, and comfortable in our own skin. But as we did Q&A, I found there were children as young as 7 years old who wanted to know about the Native Tribes in California, who were interested in the Canoe Journey here in Seattle, who wanted to know what kind of math the Aztecs did, who wanted to know more. It was also healing for me, not just to share my culture, or historical knowledge, but to hear their positive response to it and their sincere desire to learn more. It gives me hope for the next generation. 

There is legislation in Congress by the National Indian Education Association that seeks to improve Native education. Support the Native CLASS Act and find out how we can benefit our kids to live more educated lives!   

Day 3: Youth Commission Activities and Honoring Luncheon!

So much had happened by now, it was all I could do to keep up! The next day of Youth Commission featured presentations from Big Brothers Big Sisters in Indian Country, Center for Native American Youth, the Youth Honoring Luncheon, and two time Native GRAMMY recording artist Star Nayea!

Morning Presentations!

The Big Brothers Big Sisters in Indian Country discussed mentorship, and how we—Native kids—can be mentors for the younger ones. We did an activity where we made a paper kid and paper mentor and told their story. Afterwards we broke up into talking circles-important discussion groups where we passed around a feather much like a talking stick. I enjoyed the conversation our group had; we discussed cultural vs contemporary attire. We all came from different tribes all over the country and it really made me appreciate the diversity of tribal leadership, albeit, on a macro scale.

Youth Commission Activities

Afterward, we heard a brief presentation from Dustin Martin, the Program Director for ‘Wings for America, a national organization that empowers Native youth through running and fitness. He discussed the film, “Run to the East,” and how we as Native people can use our cultural lifestyles to keep us not only physically healthy, but spiritually as well. The Center for Native American Youth discussed with us more in depth about how we can use healthy lifestyles for suicide prevention and further youth development in our own communities. We heard from Dirk Whitebreast, the tribal leader from Sac & Fox Tribe of Minnesota. He shared his incredible journey from suicide when he decided to run 10 marathons in 30 days to raise awareness of youth suicide prevention. I really appreciated their message and it’s helping me understand that healing comes in many different ways.

Luncheon!

It came time for the Youth Honoring Luncheon! (I was particularly looking forward to this as I was very hungry and my mom and I had developed a habit of not eating breakfast by now.) During this luncheon, we would be honoring an outstanding boy and girl with the Ernie Stevens Jr., Leadership Award. My mom and I (after a frantic 15 min search for the ballroom) sat with Annette Anquoe of the Seattle Indian Health Board, and the students from T’ohono O’dham Youth Council joined us. I had seen them at UNITY this last summer so we finally got to formally introduce ourselves.

Ballroom for Luncheon

Later, Star Nayea took the stage and gave a powerhouse performance (like always)! I’ve met her before through my time in Red Eagle Soaring (a Native American theatre group here in Seattle) and at a previous conference. As always she shared her incredible story as a “Scoop Up” baby; she was part of the 60’s/70’s generation of First Nations children who were stolen from their families and purposely adopted outside their communities to be assimilated into non-native society. She found her healing through music and singing. She would be the final presentation to the youth after the luncheon. J

Winner of the Ernie Stevens Jr. Leadership Award

Afternoon Presentations!

Prior to the Culture Night that evening, my mom and I were eager to attend the General Assembly to see the report by Loretta Tuell, Majority Staff Director and Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. The Congressional Messages report featured an update about the Native CLASS Act, which seeks to improve Indian Education Nationwide among other important topics. Even with my knowledge as a college student, it was all I could do to keep up during the Q&A. The diversity of issues in Indian Country will always continue to boggle and turn my mind inside out! I met Tuell at UNITY this last summer and she was the one who made the report about why it’s wrong to associate Osama Bin Laden with Geronimo, and that’s the same report that went viral on facebook.  

Getting into the afternoon, my mom and I decided to check out some of the subcommittee meetings. I was desperate to see what Tribal leaders were doing in Indian Country pertaining to education in particular. Knowledge, be it Western, or Indigenous, or even from a movie, is something that I’m passionate about and something I struggle with every day as a college student. I awestruck by a presentation by the Chickasaw Nation and what they were doing to encourage their college students to come back to work for the tribe. Although I’m not Chickasaw, it was empowering for me as a college student to see how our Indian people are taking care of our post-graduates. J

Delicious delights!

My mom and I ran around some more, peeking in on various other meetings. I can’t describe how exciting it all was, to see so many beautiful things happening all at once, and being around so many passionate and strong leaders. We ended the day with a firm hope and belief in a more positive future...

…and then we got ready for the Culture Night an hour later.  

NCAI Day 2: Halloween Native Vote! Event

I never would have thought of having a voting event with an awesome Halloween Party.


Obviously I knew the Conference would be taking place during Halloween, but I didn't pay much attention to the idea of it, until it happened. It was in conjunction with Native Vote! an organization that gave a presentation that very day. Native Vote! seeks to get all of Indian Country to get out the Native vote in the coming elections. But getting young people involved is a key way to 


For more information on Native Vote! 2012


As part of their Native Vote! 2012 campaign, there was a free photo booth! There were costumes everywhere! Along with the awesome Halloween treats and candy apples, were chicken skewers, chocolates and punch. The dance featured an array of classic rock hits to 80's pop, to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller.' Winners of the Costume Contest were a couple who came as Pop Eye and Olive. 


Many of the youth came as well, (I went as Catwoman) and I spent my time meeting and greeting. There were kids dressed as Superman, the Flintstones, even a tiny tot came dressed as a smurf! The lighting wasn't the best for my puny camera, and the following pic was the clearest shot I came out with:

Me and my old friend Tyson Johnston

Day 2 at NCAI: Color Guard, Youth Commission and Halloween! =D

The first day of NCAI got us off to a great start! Bright and early, it’s important to arrive on time, and we planned to be there for the National Prayer Breakfast, as we had purchased tickets. However, our morning was going to go in a way I hadn’t at all expected. It went way better.

We entered the hall, waving at a few councilmen. Among the first people I saw were my Aunt, and my Pusha—my grandpa on my Dad's side—Joe Jay Pinkham Jr. She was in a whirl, trying to get his moccasins on and trying to figure out his place in the Color Guard. My Pusha had served in the Korean War, and he was one of the first Native American Staff Gunner Sergeants. He served 50 years on the Yakama Nation General Council, where he spent his life creating and implementing programs for our Native Veterans. But he'd always been Pusha to me, so I was rather eager to see him in a new element. 

Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Wade Shockley of the Southern Ute Drum Newsletter

Turns out, he got more attention than I did! Lol, that's saying something as I was wearing a crown, but it was all good. So many people knew who he was, it made me very proud to see just how many lives he'd impacted and how much he made a difference. A lesson for those of you still in high school and younger; learn about what your grandparents, your Elders did for your people. Seeing how our relations all over Indian country kick butt in court and in the White House, and knowing that I was related to this strong person, was really empowering and strengthening. I'm just a kid in college still trying to understand it all! It's such a special and rare gift, my Pusha's 84 now, and my only regret is that I didn't learn it sooner. 

To further my surprise, I was able to escort him in the Color Guard! This was a special honor for me to stand with these strong Native men who have served our country. (Out of all the demographics, Native people have the highest percentage of volunteers in our population.) As I visited with our Yakama Warriors, my friends Tracy Rector and Lou Karsen from Longhouse Media scurried about finding the right angles and requesting interviews. Later I got the chance to assist them in interviewing, and they even interviewed me! It was a very exciting morning, and the day wasn't even over yet. 

Afterwards, my Mom and I scrambled to get to the Youth Commission meeting. Along the way, we ran into Alex Alvarez, aka this year's Miss Shoshone-Bannock! We had met a few days ago at the 42nd Annual National Indian Education Association Convention in Albuquerque NM, so our parting was short-lived.  Together we all headed over. 

The Youth Commission of NCAI is relatively new addition to the Conference; it was established in the 1997 when the Conference was held in Juneau AL, through Resolution #JNU-97-003.

NCAI as a whole is a Conference for Tribal Leaders to make legislation about Tribal issues, such as education, health care, or on other legislation being debated about in the White House, like in the United States' Congress. When NCAI passes legislation, it means that all Tribes associated with NCAI are in favor of a specific issue or topic. It carries a lot of weight to other political leaders in the country. So, having a space at the table and being part of these meetings is very meaningful which is why it’s important that we as Native kids are involved.

Getting youth involved in this Commission is an ongoing process but this year was the highest turnout yet! From what I heard, attendance doubled since the previous year. Admittedly NCAI is during the week, so it’s probably quite difficult to make time to attend the conference. In our workshops, we introduced ourselves (at least 30 kids showed up!), discussed Robert’s Rules of Order (ie “Will all those who are in favor say Aye?”), and the importance of Native Vote campaign.

Throughout our time, I caught up with Tyson Johnston, a good friend of mine from UW (he was President of the First Nations club) and he’s now serving as Quinault Tribal Councilman, and Co-Vice President of the Youth Commission. Here’s the message: get involved in any way you can! It’ll prepare you for leadership roles in the future!

For myself, I was never involved in ASB, or even UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth-a national native student Congress). At the University of Washington, I’ve been involved with the ASUW (college level ASB) Student Senate, and was the Director of the American Indian Student Commission. So, I didn’t learn much about student government until after high school Both these organizations help prepare Native kids in writing legislation, leadership, and you get to learn a LOT about politics and tribal government. 

Day 1, Introducing the 68th Annual National Congress of American Indians!!!!

I had been waiting all year to go to the National Congress of American Indians. I'd been waiting a long time. Ever since I was in high school and first heard of NCAI, I've wanted to go. Tribal leaders, Councilmen, (Councilwomen), Chairs, and Congressmen attend this conference every year to discuss important issues in Indian Country. There are workshops, on sovereignty, education, and legislation and resolution discussions. People as young as high school aged, (I even saw a few little ones running around), all the way to the elders who are honored at the Elders Luncheon. But in all the times I imagined going, I never thought I'd be going as a representing royalty!! 

It was an incredible week of networking, learning, and sitting in on what appeared to be the “grown-up version” of the Student Senate I’m so used of here at University of Washington. Our trip to Portland Oregon for this year's National Congress of American Indians 68^th Annual Convention began the night before as my mom and I frantically packed for the week-long venture. 


Some important issues I was looking forward to; attending the Youth Commission Meetings, my good friend Tyson Johnston of the Quinault Tribal Council is a Co-Vice President and he's been a great mentor and friend to me since our time together here at the University of Washington. Also, I've been yearning to learn more about the Native CLASS Act, legislation that would improve Indian Education nationwide, something that is important for any kid going to class, whether it's at elementary, or high school. Even in light of the conferences I've attended, I was still a little intimidated and unsure of what to expect.

We arrived late Sunday afternoon, just in time for the Welcome Reception. After checking in at the hotel downtown we headed over to the Oregon Convention Center. The building was dazzling and spacious. A large canoe was out in front in the main hallway, and it was more than appropriate for the diversity of Tribal representatives that would be attending throughout the week. The Reception, like the General Assembly, was held in the dimly lit Portland Ballroom. 

It’s important at Tribal Gatherings that we recognize our people and adhere to traditional protocols. Thus, during the Reception, there was a welcoming program and presentations by Oregon and Washington state tribal leaders, introducing people through powerpoint, films, and speakers, to the history and culture of their individual Tribes and Nations. Throughout the Reception I got the chance to meet and greet a few friends from the National Indian Education Association (our parting from the 42nd NIEA Convention a few days before, was short-lived), Longhouse Media (they would be documenting the whole conference), and a few Tribal Councilmen from Ute Mountain, my own Yakama Nation, and Makah Tribal Council. Even my professor, Charlotte Cote, from University of Washington was there. 

So far, so good. It was even more upscale then I expected and seeing so many Tribal leaders from all across the country, was very satisfying. I'm majoring in American Indian Studies and would say my knowledge is a little decent, but I was thirsting to learn more.


After the evening, my mom and I took the “scenic route” while giving some friends, Mary Kim Titla among them, from San Carlos Apache a ride back home. We drove one way, drove the next, my mom and I finally understood the magnets at the Airport that had read, "Keep Portland Weird!" Though it was a minor setback, we got to know each other and we enjoyed the night lights from the City of Roses. We went to bed brimming with excitement for the next day.


Learn more about the National Congress of American Indians at: http://www.ncai.org/

Honoring our Veteran's at Camp Chapparal

I was invited by our Veterans Program to attend their annual Veteran’s Camp at Camp Chapparal. It’s very meaningful for my family and I that I attend because my Pusha (grandfather on my dad’s side) was a Master Gunner Sergeant in the Korean War; he was one of the first Native Americans to hold rank over white soldiers. His work with our Tribe and with Indian Country has been dedicated to honoring our warriors who fight to protect our families, culture and way of life. This Veteran’s Camp is part of his legacy and the legacy of the way we honor our warriors. At this camp, veterans from all over the country would also be attending, and many of them are non-native. But in spite of this, they are joined together in their journey for healing. There are cultural aspects to the week-long camp session; Prayer, Traditional Sweats, and Talking Circles. Because of the diverse veterans in attendance, I was there to share with them a bit of Yakama.

 I had the wonderful honor of performing the Welcome Dance. It’s a social dance, performed only by women. It’s symbolic of welcoming family by the setting out of a large feast or gathering. Young girls learn about this dance, I myself learned it at a young age. This dance, I explained demonstrated how connected Indian tribes were to each other, politically, economically and culturally because we Yakamas actually received this dance from the Tulalip Tribes. There was already strong trade and cross cultural exchange between tribes, even before white contact. (Another example comes from the Makah who have a war song they recieved from the Yakama.) I explained that it’s important that when dances and songs are sung that we acknowledge their origin and maintain protocol when sharing them. This is how we respect and honor the reasons for why they are given, and pass them onto our children.

I was honored to be part of this camp, to be in the presence of so many men and women, warriors, from all over who were visiting our land to find healing and the community support they deserve. Our veterans sacrifice so much, for their families, for their country, for everyone. I'd like to thank the Veterans Program and Warriors Association for allowing me to share the culture and lives of the people they’ve helped to protect. It was a very special blessing to me.

Indigenous Days at the Seattle Center!

A big thank you to Marc Taylor of the Seattle Indian Health Board who invited me to participate in this year’s 2^nd Annual Indigenous Cultures Day in Seattle. This year, it was held outside right next to the fountain! What made it very special for me, was that my 3 younger nieces; Kyra, Karissa, Kenita,  and 2 cousins; Cat and Aspen, all came over and got to participate in the event with me!

For the few days leading up the event, we practiced the Swan Dance, and the Welcome Dance together. These are very special, old, social dances that are performed by girls. Of course, growing up on the Reservation, my nieces and cousins had learned them and practiced them before, but never in front of such a large and diverse audience! My family and I wanted them to feel confident in what they were doing. Also, we hadn’t really gotten the chance to hang out with each other, since we live here in Seattle. So, participating in this event really brought our family closer together.

At the event, we performed in the morning, and again in the afternoon. During my presentation, I handed them the microphone and had them say their names and what tribe they were. Of course, they’re all Yakama, so I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too scary for them. I was surprised when my youngest niece, Kenita, confidently joined me on stage the second time on the along with her older cousin Kyra. The second time, it was at the invitation of last year’s Miss Yakama Nation, Carmen Selam and her brother Eric who was serving as National Indian Days Warrior. 

Whispering to Kenita on stage. 

Throughout the day, I got to visit and shake hands with the various Native vendors who were tabling. Our family was tabling and selling Fry Bread as a fundraiser. The sun came out off and on, and I got to enjoy the other performances that were given. It’s honor for me to be Miss Yakama Nation, and I’m just glad that I got to bring my little cousins and nieces along for the ride. 

Kyra, Aspec, Cat, Kenita, me, and Karissa!! Nice job ladies!
(photo courtesy of Daniella Pawl)