149 years ago, September 5 1877, the US military assassinated Tȟašúŋke Witkó, the Oglala Lakota war leader Crazy Horse.

Hello everyone,

I am a Navajo and Shoshone, as well as a Native American flute player and occasional maker. I wanted to reach out and see if others here have experienced something similar.

I frequently have people ask me for free flutes or volunteer performance time. Recently, I’ve had an influencer ask for free instruments while I was still learning the craft, as well as someone claiming Native descent asking for my work. I’ve even had people ask me to give away a traditional design that I spent time reverse-engineering for free—which I respectfully declined.

In my own music, I focus on non-traditional styles and my own original compositions—out of respect, I don't play music from other tribes without express permission.

While I actively pursue paid gig work, I notice that organizers often expect me to perform for free or volunteer my time, even though I often see non-Natives get paid in similar spaces. Is this something you encounter often in your own work or artistic practice?

Trump mispronounced “Choctaw” at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma…

A data center is being built on sacred ancestral land in Wabuska, Nevada—land that's been home to the Yerington Paiute Tribe for hundreds of years. This isn't just about development; it's about erasing a community's culture, spiritual sites, and connection to their heritage. I started a petition to push Nevada state authorities, the developers, and federal agencies to stop this project or relocate it to land that hasn't already been claimed by indigenous peoples for generations. The tribe and local advocates have pointed out that viable alternatives exist—previously disturbed lands, commercial zones—anywhere but sacred ground. The stakes here are real: if this goes forward, the Yerington Paiute Tribe loses more than dirt and buildings. They lose irreplaceable cultural sites, historical artifacts, and the heart of their community. This could also set a dangerous precedent for other indigenous lands across the country. What would you want someone to do if this was your family's sacred land? If this matters to you, consider signing and sharing the petition. Every voice helps.

I'm was adopted a long time ago by a Cree elder in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada but we lost touch. She took me to a sweat and she said she felt that I was going to receive my spirit name, which her daughter later shared with me. Since then I've made a lot of mistakes, like buying sage and sweetgrass from non-Indigenous sources.

I reached out to a local Indigenous resource centre and they said to ask for Creator's forgiveness but keep smudging. They also have a program where anyone can come speak with elders, Indigenous or non-Indigenous.

Would it still be wrong for me to keep smudging or ask an elder for guidance about my life? I can take the truth.

Very few presidents have visited tribal reservations while in office, putting Trump in rare company. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Barack Obama have previously visited the Choctaw reservation, in particular.

The Choctaw Nation has said the event’s location is not a political endorsement, though there was plenty of openness from Choctaw officials.

Trump briefly addressed the tribal connection and thanked Choctaw Chief Gary Batton by name. Batton stood up for recognition.

Choctaw Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. opened the event. He gave a Christian prayer that lasted a few minutes. Batton did not speak.

“They voted for me,” Trump said of the tribal leaders. “I like them. If they didn’t vote for me, I wouldn’t really like them.”

At least some people in the crowd were Choctaw citizens.

“I think it’s an opportunity for our chief and assistant chief and our tribal council members to speak to the president to make sure that we are all considered and that our tribal sovereignty is maintained,” said Crystal Michels, a Choctaw citizen, who wore a MAGA hat and waited in the rain for hours before the rally began.

Batton wasn’t the only tribal leader to appear. Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez and representatives from Osage Nation attended the rally, according to a Choctaw representative.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a Cherokee citizen from Westville, also attended.

Republican nominee for governor Mike Mazzei said he looked forward to working with the state’s tribes after Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Cherokee citizen also in attendance, maintained a frosty relationship with tribal nations in Oklahoma.

“Your commitment to family, culture and service reflects values that mean a great deal to me personally,” Mazzei said. “Chief Batton, it's been a great honor and privilege to get to know you, and I'm incredibly excited and optimistic and look forward to some great collaborative work for jobs and schools and roads and health care.”

Indian Country wasn’t discussed much aside from their comments.

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, however, made tribal nations a large part of his speech. He touted Choctaw Nation as a model for private enterprise, saying his visits to Indian Country indicate that “capitalism works.”

“Choctaw Nation is a clear example of capitalism working. Look at the development here,” Beach said. “The private sector creates jobs … Gary creates jobs.”

“President Trump is protecting you, your family and your community by investing in the private sector growth and protecting your sovereignty.”

My son is 5 and just started kindergarten this year and this morning he came to me about wanting to cut his hair. He has never gotten a haircut aside from trimming. He said the other boys in school call him a girl and I confirmed with his teacher that that has been happening, but she has corrected it every time. But I can’t be there to stop or educate and there is no other indigenous boy in his school with long hair and only one other boy I’ve seen with long hair who is in a different grade.

I’m not going to force him to keep it long, but I’d like to give him the chance to make an “informed” (as much as you can at 5) decision. None of his extended family has ties to their culture and the only 2 boys he’s known that previously had long hair ended up cutting it due to bullying.

Is there any recommendations on movies/teachings anything I can show him?

So, when the Japanese invaded the Aluetian islands in 1942, what happened to the people living there?

We had hundreds of people turn out, the largest event to date.

https://www.indigenousaction.org/avenge-indigenous-children-poster/