Random Babble who is an Ojibway/Anishinaabe sister inspired me to write this post. She wrote a post called She doesn’t “Look Native”… which is amazing and I recommend that you read it.

As many of you know I am a mixed blood Ojibway/Anishinaabe woman who strongly and proudly identifies with my Native roots. The next time you come across a Native person who you think is not Native before you speak. Do you say this to any other person that you come across? No you don’t because the Native population is the invisible minority on Turtle Island. Therefore, you have stereotypes of what a Native is supposed to look like, act like and be. This is wrong and very hurtful to us. We are all different, unique and beautiful!

Random Babble’s post also touches on the issues of blood quantum. I have yet to do an in depth post on this but have touched on this issue in this blog. I have written the following posts that touch on my identity: You Can’t Display Your Soul to the World, Thoughts On My Ojibway Heritage… and What Are You? You can read my poem called “Sign The Papers,” which is about governmental blood quantum standards. Read Jessica Yee’s post called “Degrees of Nativeness.” There is even a film that is in the works by a First Nations Canadian man called Stupid White Indian. We are the only people in the whole entire world that quantifies our existence by blood. This was set up by the US government for the point of annihilation. I am refusing the annihilation process from the government and even from my own people.

If you have time this is an excellent resource: Native American Spirituality: Freedom Denied. It is pretty insightful and talks about blood quantum through the piece.

I was born the way I am. Like many Natives who are of mixed background who strongly identify with being Native I stand strong! I was born with my heart and my spirit to shine through in these times and do the work in the world that I am called to do. I am who I am, just like you are who you are. I am a human and a spirit in a body at this time on Earth. I radiate the truth of my heart and spirit out into the world. I am authentic, real and Native. I am smiling.

I have gathered together some of my photos from over the years of me. A few of the photos are artsy and earthy, of course. I thought I would show you how strong and proud I am as a Native woman!