I’m a M42 year old Native American living in north eastern Nevada and I was asked by the moderator to make a post about my experience and life as a Native American. I was born and raised in the current area I’m living in now I’m part of the western Shoshone natives of the newe tribe. Life is alright for the most part. We have our struggles and strengths like any other community. I’m not sure what else to say about myself but I’m open to answering questions in the comments. Love and respect. 🪶
It’s hard to say with preserving the culture most of it is through stories and some family traditions. And for the most part other tribes in the area all get along for the most part and any grudge is just surface level. I personally don’t speak my native language unfortunately when my grandparents were still alive they could fluently speak it. I believe that comes from more deeper level of shame that my father and his siblings all went through in the 50s and 60s with their indoctrination into boarding schools and having their language and their heritage, taking away from them and for them to be shamed for who they are and they were.
Yep it’s something that’s always happened in subjugated groups. Their identity is stripped from them, purposefully destroyed and they’re forced to comply.
Does your culture include any specific coming of age ceremony like the Quinceanera in latin america or the debut in the philippines? If so what age and what does it involve?
Honestly I can’t say. I don’t think so at least for me or anyone else in my family. Just normie stuff like turning 18 or 21 but that’s just associated with partying and drinking.
Confirmed with @LadyButterfly@piefed.blahaj.zone that this is an approved post ✅
Thanks so much for writing this! It’s great to have an insight into other cultures. I have a few questions…
- How rigid are gender roles in your culture?
- What’s the biggest misconception people have about Native Americans?
- You mentioned struggles and strengths, can you name a few?
- How important is the idea of tribes in your community?
- Do you feel Native Americans have a voice in modern society?
Gender roles are not really rigid at all we have elections every 2 years for new or old members and it’s pretty open in terms of gender we actually have a strong relationship between gender equality especially with younger people. I would say that the biggest misconception is that natives are dumb or low intelligence. That’s completely wrong most people of my age and younger generations are very intelligent and most have or will be going to college or some form of higher learning after high school. As for struggles I would say that we tend to have a hard time with funding but that’s how most government programs work in general. And for strengths we have a lot mainly just being close as a community I was extremely proud of how we handled COVID and how we administered the vaccine. In terms of idea of the tribe in the community as a whole is received good. The town as a whole has a population of about 4k and the tribe is I would say about 500-600 people and most of the town as a whole is connected with the tribe one way or another. As for a voice in modern society idk about that one it’s hard to tell as a whole wile I do believe that there are natives that can and do speak up about the culture and history good or bad I feel like it always falls on deaf ears. Beyond that as a whole, I do feel that if we all have a voice or speak up for those who are too afraid or whocannot speak up regardless of ethnicity or gender things can, and will eventually improve for us as a whole.
That’s really eye opening thanks, I’d always heard people say Native Americans have low rates of education. And I totally agree with you on having a voice, which is why I’m really glad you’ve done this post!
How important is tradition in your culture? And how different are other tribes? Just wondering cos Native Americans tend to get lumped together in a group.
Tradition is important in all aspects of life for natives I feel it’s just depends on how and who wants to learn and listen. Sadly it is a dying thing, I personally can’t speak my native language at all I know a few words but that’s it.
That’s really interesting thanks 😊
- How is your culture preserved?
- How many people speak your indigenous language?
- What difficulties do you have to struggle with from non indigenous people?
- What are your interactions like with other indigenous groups?
Ooooh I’d also like to know those things they’re good questions
