I think being an American is just accepting everyone's diversity, like in this land.

Like being indigenous me able to share my heritage.

It's just how I connect to America and not just the past or future, the present.

So I think that's important.

A part of American history.

I spoke with Indigenous Americans about how they celebrate their identity.

My mom was very into ancestry, so when I was in elementary school, she was researching who our ancestors were, and we came upon the bass family, and she recognized that the bass family were related to the Nansemond, and we were able to tie our heritage back to the Nansemond Indian nation.

And so from that point on, we started showing up to the announcement powwows and the events they hosted.

So I always knew I was indigenous because my parents and my grandparents did a really great job of like, making sure I knew about my heritage and, having honor in who I was.

And, and.

always known I was indigenous.

My mom made sure I grew up and was aware of that part of my heritage.

My great grandfather was a chief of my tribe and crucial to the process of our tribe getting federal recognition.

So I carry that history with me and try to share my heritage with others.

I connect to my heritage through art.

I like to I recently learned how to bead, and I have also always enjoyed sewing.

And I also show up to indigenous events and try and connect with other tribal members like one of our Nansemond Indian Nation members started basket weaving so he was able to teach me how to weave baskets, Dancing has really connected me to being indigenous.

Practicing.

So I'm a jingle dancer and it's just very spiritual, and it really connects you to like, it's the healing dance.

And so it's like just making sure to remember that when you are dancing and filling every body.

And I think that's just how I felt.

The most connected is just dancing in the past.

I. Beyond jingle dancing, ribbon skirts and powwows, many native communities describe a shared emphasis on community, one that shapes how some indigenous people experience being an American.

Being indigenous means that I always have a tight knit community.

I go to events with my friends, and I meet new people, and I'm also a part of cultural groups in college.

I also go to powwows and participate in whoever I can.

It's a big part of who I am.

I think in America, we have the privilege of freedom, and we are able to be who we want to be.

So not only am I allowed to uphold my identity of how I grew up with my parents, but I'm also able to participate and the indigenous culture that I also identify with.

We also talked about some of the challenges of recognizing others identities.

I think like the biggest thing I face is backlash because I'm redheaded.

I was always told like, oh, you're not actually native, but they wouldn't believe anything that I showed them or told them just because I don't look like the stereotypical native.

And I think just understanding that, like having respect for all people and, making sure you're open to learning and growing in different areas so that you can learn more about what we do or our heritage and how we don't all look the same.

It's not a stereotype.

It's like it's just life.

Accepting those who are different from you and knowing that everyone is interconnected in some way and that we are more similar than we are different.

I like being able to share my heritage with others.

My my tribe is sort of like a big family, and I like being a part of something so welcoming and energized.