Author Archives: Tristan Picotte
What Patriotism Means to Me, as a Native American
There was a time when I was asked what to do when the National Anthem played. As a child I had always done the pledge of allegiance at school. Yet, as I grew older I started looking into Native American history…
Pocahontas: Fact & Fiction
The real story of Pocahontas (Amonute, Matoaka, Rebecca) is much more dramatic and possibly much darker than most people realize.
Remembrance of Native Traditions on Memorial Day
What does your culture mean to you? Why do you practice your traditions? How do these tie into today’s society? In remembrance of tradition, culture, and values passed along many generations, I ask: How do you remember your culture? I have always questioned what kind of role my culture plays in today’s society, and how […]
Rain Dance, Correcting the Myth
The rain dance is hardly the only misconception that exists about Indian peoples. Sometimes it’s too easy to view all native communities as sharing a single culture..
Access to Healthy Food on the Reservations
Partnership With Native Americans supports national nutrition and a return to traditional diets through gardens, healthy cooking classes, training on canning, preservation and a mobile unit for nutrition training in remote tribal communities.
Native Art, and Native Artists Making Headlines
It’s easy to find Native art and Native artists at many large gatherings, be it powwows, art festivals, or even some city events and markets where vendors can set up a booth.
The True Impact of the Dawes Act of 1887
The biggest impact of the Dawes Act was a loss of indigenous cultures, tradition and land across the U.S. It did a number on our tribal communities and tried to pit our ancestors against each other.
National Freedom Day
National Freedom Day brings a chance for all of us to remember that everyone is trying to live their lives the best they can and to help others along the way.
Ira Hayes: Hero by Happenstance?
In many ways, Ira Hayes was just like many of us – quiet, humble, and driven to do the best he could at what he did. In his case, this included critical service such as helping to raise the flag at Iwo Jima and serving among the many Navajo code talkers and other Native American veterans.
Disaster Relief by a First Responder for the Reservations
A national member of VOAD – Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster – PWNA provides disaster relief to reservations within its 12-state service area. As a state member of VOAD in Arizona, South Dakota and Montana, PWNA concentrates its emergency relief in these areas but evaluates other disasters on a case by case basis, if requested by the tribe.