Teaching younger generations about our culture and religion is something Native Americans don’t take lightly. Our culture and religion is something that defines who we are and where we come from. However, younger generations aren’t beginning to grasp the importance of it. They aren’t speaking or understanding the language or culture. Elders are beginning to notice and are possibly worrying about the lack of enthusiasm younger generations have about the culture. This may make them think that no one cares about the culture and religion and many of our ways will disappear.

I have seen this happen and this has been addressed to me and my family by my grandma’s younger brother who is a kiva leader and a highly respected man. He spoke to us about the change in things that were happening and a lot of it was things that I never paid any sort of attention to. He mentioned things such as the language not being spoken or understood. He noticed a lot of younger people not participating in or having any sort of knowledge about our culture. This worries him because our culture is what has helped A:shiwi people to thrive and survive, and it is what makes me who I am. If we lose our culture and language, we will lose our status as sovereign nations. A:shiwi people aren’t the only ones going through this; many other tribes are having this problem.

According to an article on Native Hope called ‘Keeping Culture Alive" the article states “Culture equals identity. When a culture disappears, so does its people.” This one statement states the truth most Native Americans stand by. We have been losing our culture and language since the Spaniards made contact. Native Hope also begins to talk about the significance of storytelling which connects us with our ancestors which enables Natives to keep their culture alive. Ceremonies that are significant to us and allow us to be proud of ourselves and our tribe help to heal us in many different ways. Then lastly, our art work that we produce and how we share it’s beauty with the rest of the world represents the things our ancestors have taught us.

In Seattle, there is a group of students who fight together to keep their culture alive. “At Clear Sky Academy classes at North Seattle College, the teens learn about Native American art, culture and language, as well as the historical and contemporary experiences of tribes.” This statement comes from an article called ‘Indigenous teens fight to keep cultures alive in Seatte’ (king5.com). The students who attend these classes come from tribes all over the country. One student named Lailani Norman Big Spring said, “This is an academy that teaches the true history of our indigenous people,” which is very rarely seen in schools across the country." 

"Native American Heritage Month is important to me, because it shows me that I'm giving back to my ancestors,” said student Kayla Harstad. It is also encouraging that there are younger generations who care about the heritage and would want to preserve it.

Native American culture has always been jeapardized and continues to be in danger of extinction. Many people may not see it as important as Natives do but many people do not realize the amount of service our presences gives to the entire world. Native Americans have ceremonies and pray for good things in the world to come to them and everyone else. We value and treasure many things that mainstream America may not follow. We value the Earth, our ancestors and most importantly our elders because they teach us the traditions and values of our culture.

Native Americans have endured so much abuse and racism throughout the years. Only two percent of America is occupied by Natives. We shout and scream our issues but yet we remain unheard. Native Americans are humans but are unique in our own way. However we are being forced to push away our traditions and are forced to forget our ways and who we are. We are being forced to be like all other Americans. We are continuously being pushed away. Our land and our culture is being taken away. Now I think it’s time someone says something and something is done about it.