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my experience growing up as a Native American 
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so first, introductions! my name is lieba, i am ho-chunk (winnebago) :D i’m also two-spirit! i am sky clan (sometimes called thunder clan) i am native to the ocooch region of wisconsin!!
family: my family is huge, i stg i meet a new cousin or aunty at every powwow. something about native families, ANYONE can be family. we might not be related by blood, but we will still consider those close to us our brothers and sisters.
family cont: generational trauma exists. addictions are also genetic. too many families struggle with trauma and addictions, and don’t receive proper help. unfortunately, many of my elders have passed due to substance abuse, mental illness, suicide. i was close to losing my dad.
cont: i’ve seen my dad spiral with addiction and have dealt with abuse and trauma. it’s unavoidable for many natives. disorder had certainly caught up to my sister and me. i have found it important to rely on family as a support system, we share the burden of our struggles.
let’s lighten it up a bit. some rules! always respect your elders! elders go first! idk if you’re a hungry hungry hippo, you serve your elders before you eat! speaking of food, eating together is a very spiritual practice for many indigenous families!
cont: so you can bet that all celebrations include some kind of meal!
more rules, never drop an eagle feather! this is serious trouble is you’re dancing, there is a process to bless the feather that fell. if you find a feather on the ground outside, once you pick it up, it may never touch the ground again. it is considered disrespectful. also-
NEVER TAKE AN EAGLE FEATHER IF YOU ARE NOT LEGALLY ENROLLED IN A TRIBE! don’t question it.
more rules :D this one might be specific for my tribe idk, but i learned that you never step over someone laying down. idk if it’s ya doggy, always walk around them. another sign of respect.
some things that you can do if you’re not indigenous! support your local tribes! support their art and respect their land! social justice can be writing a letter to your mayor for removal of an offensive statue, or it can be informing your yt friends that dreamcatcher tapestries-
aren’t boho/hippie. they’re appropriation. if you want a dreamcatcher, pleaseeeee find a native artist.
someone send me some frybread. ummmmmm. ok also i’m two spirit and coming out was stressful, but my dad and sister have been very supportive! my dad even made sure my graduation blanket included two-spirit pride.
kinda a weird side note, but blankets truly are a whole love language for natives. they hold spiritual meaning, they can be used to honor people. seriously the way to my heart is being smothered in blankets and food.
ok back to some harder subjects. MENTAL HEALTH IN NATIVE TEENS!!!! this is not something to ignore! if you’re native please pay attention to your mental health! generational trauma and genetic disorders will hit ya when you least expect it.
seasonal affectiveness disorder disproportionately affects BIPOC!! more melanin means ya need more vitamin d to maintain your health! physical and mental! if you live somewhere that lacks sunlight in the winter, look into supplements or light therapy!
addiction in native teenagers is also a huge issue! i struggle everyday! please please check in on your friends and be there to support them. indigenous people are more susceptible to addictions, if ya friend says they don’t wanna drink, respect that.
more health issues! diabetes and heart problems also disproportionately affect natives! a lot of this can be dated back to land removal. many families suffered under control of the stinky U.S. government-
which resulted in poverty. unhealthy and cheap food was the only way of survival for families, especially on reservations. many of the issues indigenous peoples deal with today are a direct result of government interference.
because of these health issues and lack of healthcare, COVID-19 has also been detrimental to many native families! after i write up this thread i will drop additional links and ways you can support native families in need.
some final notes. if you are 1/16th native, your grandma told you that she’s part cherokee, or you just weren’t raised with any familial native influence? don’t claim heritage for clout, especially on indigenous people’s day.
if you are 1/16th or something native, choose to learn about your heritage! you can learn without being loud of the tl. for those who are able to claim indigenous heritage...be proud! say it with your chest! let yourself be seen! especially any afro-indigenous people!!!
apparently twitter limits the amount of tweets i can add in a thread, and i have so much to say :( i might make another thread but i have class rn so i’ll wrap this one up! happy indigenous people’s day!! please practice consciousness and be aware of us! we were here first and-
we’re not going anywhere. if you feel like buying me a coffee, here’s my cashapp! indigenous family, please feel free to drop your cashapp/paypal/gofundme etc below! https://cash.app/$liebalouisa ">https://cash.app/$liebalou...
