Gabooboo Bread

Anne Frank’s diary left a mark on me. In a way, it helped me realize my own identity, because I was about the same age as her when I read it. Even though our lives were completely different, it made me re-evaluate how I reacted or how I treated situations. Because she was so mature at 13, she had to be, and she had no idea what an impact she was going to leave on the world. It gave me the perspective and inspiration I needed growing up.

I dance at powwows every year and there’s so much that goes into it. It’s such a fun experience for all ages. They really do have something for everyone. You can dance, observe, play the drums, shop, etc. They’re such a powerful way to feel connected to our roots and help us preserve our culture. I’ve been going to them since I was a child, and it was really those experiences and the way they made me feel, that made me want to pursue a degree in Native American studies. I want to help preserve our language and culture for generations, and powwows are such a fun way to do that.

The Red Berry Woman is a Hidatsa, Dakota Sioux, and an Aissiniboine woman who makes ribbon skirts, shirts, dresses, and other Native products—pretty much anything you can add a ribbon to. Her products are so beautiful and creative, she’s even participated in New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion week. I think it’s so inspiring that she’s opening so many doors for Native fashion and making other people appreciate and admire it as well.

https://redberrywoman.com/

I look up to Sunshine Carlow because she is a Native leader who is doing a lot for the Lakota language revitalization. I was her intern at Dakota Lakota Summer Institute and I admired her positivity and confidence. She always seemed to know exactly what to say. Someday, I hope to help the Lakota language and community as much as she has, starting with our youth.

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Missing and murdered indigenous women are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. Women are scared to go anywhere alone and more and more social posts like, “If I ever go missing, just know that I didn’t want to leave,” are being shared. It’s scary to think that as an indigenous woman, I have a target on my back. My hope is that with this issue becoming more prevalent, we’ll all come together to protect each other. It’s up to all of us to make our communities feel safe again.