Bonnie Ewing says, “Horses are a spiritual portal to better self-esteem, health, education, and Native identity.” With her granddaughter Lucy, they connect youth to their ancestors and their history on the Chief Joseph Trail Ride. View Bonnie’s profile View Lucy’s profile
Watch as Mililani Trask (Native Hawaiian) and Lihau Enriquez Rosehill (Native Hawaiian) are interviewed by Spirit Aligned Program Director Gail Small (Northern Cheyenne). Mililani and Lihau share how they are building new knowledge leaders. By encouraging their community to continue cultural mentoring as time goes on, they have been able…
Meet Mary Mabel, or Timberwolf, Joseph (Wet’suwet’en) and Molly Ann Wickham, or Sleydo’ (Wetsuwet’en). Mary Mabel and Molly Ann are restoring Wiggu, which translates to “the practice of respect.” They are aiming to highlight women’s roles in leadership and traditional governance, while also integrating traditional conflict resolution in Tribal governance.…
Faith Spotted Eagle shares her dedication in restoring a traditional woman’s society she learned of from her grandmother. Her initial efforts working with other Lakota grandmothers established the White Buffalo Calf Woman’s Society, the first American Indian women’s shelter. Through years of supporting women and girls dealing with trauma, Faith…
Maxine’s goal was to ensure the Yuchi language was passed to the next generations. She effectuated her legacy using the Spirit Aligned Leadership Program to sustain and support her efforts. For some time, she was the last fluent Yuchi speaker – before she passed, she accomplished her goal in transferring…
Maxine speaks in her Yuchi language, requesting future generations to “fulfill the old traditions, the old ways… I don’t forget about the old ways, I always think about those things.” She highlights the importance of the stories her family passed down to her and how we must listen for the…
Three life threatening events brought Kathy Sanchez to a time of deep soul searching and reflection. She found herself asking why she was spared and set about examining her life and her cultural values. This journey led her to finding a way to live fully and harmoniously as a Native…
There are 15,000 abandoned uranium mines in 14 western states, and 75 percent are located on federal and tribal lands. Thelma Whiskers speaks about her family and their journey in continuing her late brother’s activism efforts against the White Mesa Uranium Mill. View Thelma’s full profile >
Through family history and collective memory, Jennie Seminole Parker tells the story of the Cheyenne’s struggle to return to their homelands from Oklahoma. Images provided by provided by Yellow Bird Life Ways Center. View Jennie Seminole Parker >
GwaaGanad recalls a rich life of tradition in her beautiful homeland. She shares the many names she has been gifted and the many elders whose lives touched hers. As a very young girl, GwaaGanad’s mother took her to the forest, showed her four medicines, and taught her what they were…
