We’ll be gone till November

Happy Native Heritage Month

Year round Native Heritage

January all the way to December.

That’s exactly how we need to approach our lives and celebrating being Native. Not just showing up in November to dance, practice culture and support the people.

It should be a year long celebration of each other. And not just others celebrating us, but us celebrating us.

Crabs in a bucket

 Why are we like that?

Why is it so hard to support our own people instead of tearing them down?

In almost everything I’ve done in life, my strongest opposition and loudest critiques, have always come from Natives.

Whether in music, writing, politics (which makes sense kinda) or Indian gaming. When it came to my life, Natives have always enjoyed the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.

But why?

Why do some people feel so at home with criticizing their own people instead of uplifting or supporting them?

This is why

Where I’m from, not many Natives have experienced real individual success.

So naturally, they have a hard time promoting or celebrating other Natives.

They seem to look at success in the Tribal space as a zero sum game. (which it absolutely is not)

But, that is how it’s viewed.

What we can do

I’ve come up with a three C system to help establish a process of change.

The first C is call.

Call people out for it. The next time you see our own people not hiring a qualified Native or paying a qualified Native a lesser wage, call them out.

The second C is create.

Create opportunity. Give our people a chance to shine and show the community who they really are.

Many of us can’t get a job within a Tribe that isn’t our own. Tribe’s seem to view qualified Natives as threats versus allies. (Please see meme below)

And the final C is celebrate.

Celebrate the culture. Celebrate the cousins. Celebrate the people. We need to stop waiting for others to do it and learn to do it ourselves.

Happy Native Heritage Month.

If you don’t know, now you know, a Native. 

Attention all Artists 

Please read this and share

We hope that you have been enjoying the newest section devoted exclusively to spotlighting Native artists and their rich, often untold, stories of cultural heritage, identity, and resilience.

By dedicating a platform to these talented individuals, we seek not only to amplify their voices but also to foster a deeper appreciation for our Tribal communities' unique artistic contributions, narratives, and perspectives in the wider public domain.

Our newest section continues to serve as a vibrant, dynamic showcase of traditional and contemporary art forms, ranging from painting, sculpture, and weaving to digital media, performance, writing and more.

Each featured work is not just an artistic expression but a storyline—a fusion of past, present, and future, relayed through colors, shapes, textures, and sounds that resonate with the lived experiences of Native people.

Moving forward, we are committed to engaging our audience with a variety of content that inspires, educates, and provokes thoughtful conversation.

This includes artist spotlights, interviews, virtual gallery tours, and bonus interactive Q&A sessions that allow direct engagement with the creators.

We believe that through this immersive experience, viewers can gain a more holistic understanding of the contexts and traditions from which Native art emerges. In doing so, we hope to cultivate a community of advocates and aficionados who are as passionate about supporting and celebrating the works of Native artists as we are.

If you have any artists that you feel should be in the spotlight, please submit links to their pages as well as contact information of the artist.

Please email all spotlight suggestions to:[email protected] 

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Simply Press the “Click to Share” Button Below, Then Press Copy, and send your code via text message, dm on facebook, instagram or your social media platform of choice.

Squanto - Patuxet/Wampanoag

Squanto, also known as Tisquantum, holds a unique place in American history, often remembered as a bridge between the Native and European worlds. Born around 1580 near Plymouth, Massachusetts, Squanto belonged to the Patuxet Tribe, a band of the Wampanoag Confederacy.

In 1614, he was captured by English explorer Thomas Hunt, who took him and other Natives to Spain to be sold into slavery.

Squanto's resilience during these trying times was remarkable. He managed to escape to England, where he lived for several years, learning English and adapting to European ways of life.

In 1619, Squanto returned to his homeland, only to find his Patuxet Tribe decimated by an epidemic, which was introduced by European settlers.

This tragic event left him one of the last of his Tribe. His return was timely, coinciding with the arrival of the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620. The Pilgrims faced a harsh winter with severe food shortages and were largely unprepared for life in the New World.

Squanto emerged as a critical figure during this period. With his unique understanding of both Native and European cultures, he was well-positioned to act as an intermediary.

He taught the Pilgrims essential survival skills, such as how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, fish in the rivers, and avoid poisonous plants. His guidance was a lifeline for the struggling settlers.

More than just a teacher, Squanto played a pivotal role in establishing a peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe, led by Chief Ousamequin.

This alliance proved beneficial for both parties. For the Pilgrims, it meant much-needed support and knowledge, and for the Wampanoag, it provided a strategic ally against rival Tribes.

Squanto’s efforts culminated in the 1621 harvest celebration, often regarded as the first Thanksgiving. This event symbolized the cooperation and mutual respect between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, a brief moment of harmony in an otherwise tumultuous history.

Sadly, his life was cut short; he died in 1622 of a mysterious disease.

His legacy, however, endures. Squanto is remembered not just as a helper of the Pilgrims but as a complex figure who navigated the challenging crosscurrents of early American history.

His story along with his ability to bridge two vastly different worlds showcases a remarkable adaptability and strength of character, making him an enduring figure in the tapestry of American history.

This section as always is brought to you by the Kossin Brand.

The purpose of the Kossin brand is to connect our people through inclusivity and commonalities. Many other brands and companies aim to divide and conquer, however at Kossin they do not.

If you enjoy this section and being introduced to a new Native every week please click the “Shop Here” button below and support them by picking up a piece of Kossin Merch.

If you enjoy our memes don’t forget to follow on Twitter now known as X.com, Instagram and Tik Tok for more exclusive content. The profile links are listed below. @LouistheNative on all platforms. 

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