I am very proud of my Native American heritage. Though my generation has trace amounts (my DNA shows me to be primarily Scandinavian with Germanic, Celtic, and Slavic over the other bloodlines that formed me), it was something that bonded me with my Great-grandfather. I remember attending powwows in Minneapolis and feeling honored to have even an ounce of connection to my ancestry. One thing I long to do is to attend the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow.
The Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, also, hosts the most prestigious Cultural Pageant held for Native and Indigenous woman. It is called The Miss Indian World Pageant. The idea is to build tribal relationships and sisterhood among the people. The five-day contest isn’t about appearances, but rather, the winner is the one who best demonstrates a deep knowledge about their people – culture, tradition, and history.
As someone who loves history, I think our ancestry is an important part of our world and selves. It helps us to understand what brought us to where we are, shaping the way we live and think. There are vital lessons from the past, wisdom from our elders, and knowledge in our sharing of one another’s customs and cultures.
That being said, here are some great books I thought readers might find interesting: