With National American Heritage day coming up on November 23rd, Jasmine Barreto '20 shares about her roots, "My grandpa is full native, born in Minnesota near the White Earth Reservation until he was adopted into a white family. "

 

Ever since she was five, her family has been attending "Powwows"- community gatherings with different native tribes in the summer. "Everyone is welcome, especially if you are interested in the culture, different traditions of food, tribal dances and singing in Indigenous people's native languages," said Barreto.

 

Barreto enjoys embracing her rich native culture, "For me, I think it's very interesting to be connected to that part of the history, and to just really know what the people went through for the rest of us to be here today." she adds, "It's the sacrifice they made and how they overcame them for us."

 

"Tribal sovereignty is very important to many native Americans. Tribes are very sacred, especially to the leaders because of the traditions they stand for and how families later can pass it down to the next generation," said Barreto.

 

Barreto points out Mr. Crane- the 11th grade US History teacher, helps everyone correct their manners on the indigenous people. "Most of them are forgotten, recognized as the people of the past, not as modern times. So it's really important for me to inform other people, and that we are still hearing we do need to represented same way as others are." It is important for us to recognize and interact with Native Americans, in order to better acknowledge their culture today.

 

"I hope in the future we can make posters around seasons such as Thanksgiving, or the indigenous people holiday and to spread awareness among the Native American culture today, instead of just focusing on Columbus…"said Barreto.