Author Archives: Tristan Picotte
Giving Tuesday: Three Reasons to Remember Native Americans
While there are many reasons to give back to Native peoples, here are three important ones. I join PWNA in encouraging you to remember Native Americans in your holiday giving this year.
Storytelling in Native American Cultures
For centuries, us Lakota have carried our past through storytelliing, or oral tradition as we call it. Our stories tell the origin of entire nations, why animals looked or acted the way they did, and where or how entire cultural traditions originated.
Native History: The Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867
In the Medicine Lodge Treaty of 1867, five tribes ceded familiar lands and hunting grounds, in exchange for allotted reservation lands. They also unknowingly gave up their freedom to leave the reservation or practice their religion and traditions. Doing so was considered a breach of treaty, although the U.S. found reason to breach the treaty around 1903 when the Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock case was before the Supreme Court.
A Native View on Spirit Animals and Animal Medicine
Spirit Animal, Animal Guide, Spirit Helper. These terms are used among different cultures to describe spirits of benevolent nature, usually helping someone during a hard time. These spirits can bring strength, insight, and even a sense or feeling to someone who needs it.
Summer Reading List
A good book can be hard to find, even more so one that’s Native-focused. When I was young and would get into trouble, my dad wouldn’t ground me. Instead, he’d often give me a topic to research or a book to read – always on Lakota culture – and have me write a short paper […]
Purple Heart Appreciation Day: Honoring Our Combat Veterans
Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 19 percent of Native Americans serve in the military — a higher rate than any other minority in America. One veteran an Purple Heart recipient is furthering his contribution to defense of our country, with support of the American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) program.
National Buy a Musical Instrument Day
Music is integral to Native culture… More programs like Teens for Music and recognitions like National Buy a Musical Instrument Day could benefit indigenous youth and other youth across the country.
SNAP/EBT or America’s Harvest Box?
In some cases, the Harvest Box program would cut up to half of SNAP/EBT benefits, not only taking away the possibility of more nutritious food choices, but subjecting families to the health impacts that have already been observed from these boxes. SNAP criteria would also change, disqualifying many families and reducing help for others.
Indigenous Cinema Favorites
Not often feel-good films, indigenous cinema deals with the tougher issues that take place on the reservations, with colonization and assimilation into the modern world, and at the same time tells compelling stories complete with heroes, villains, vigilantes, and bystanders. Make your next movie night one of these Native American tales!
The Apache Wars
The effects of relocation and colonization of the tribes, as well as the gold rush, the Apache Wars and other conflicts in U.S. history, are still felt today, though tribes are persevering and, like Geronimo, hold their hopes for the future.