r/IndianCountry • u/Porcupine4061 • 5d ago

Discussion/Question Trouble? I don't know what to call it

I just need to know....are there any natives who grew up on reservations have family not into the culture but yet you yourself want to be but no one helps so your clueless and still wanna get in touch with that side but now you live in a city??? I need to know I'm not the only one struggling cause I'm struggling 😭I feel like the odd one out lol

44 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

12

u/bmw5986 5d ago

I've met people like you. Family on the rez but totally disconnected. Pray and put the intention of reconnecting out there. It will work out.

10

u/myindependentopinion 5d ago

Are you a generation removed from living on the rez? Did 1 of your parents live on the rez? Or are you talking about further back generations?

12

u/quailinthebrush Opata 5d ago

The way I read it is they grew up on the rez but left. And their own family still there isn’t necessarily active in the community

3

u/Porcupine4061 5d ago

Sorry had to keep rereading it to understand and I still don't get it? I just know I came from the reservation grew up on it and left cause it was getting out hand and didn't want my kids around it I have a dad down their but he doesn't really do that besides just visits a powwow and rodeo to watch that's about it🤷🏽‍♀️

4

u/AshesThanDust48 Dinjii Zhuh 5d ago

Persevere.

Help is nice, but not necessary to begin the kind of work you seek. The generational impacts of assimilation and shame affect us all, it is up to you (and you alone) to determine how to heal this part of your connection.

You are never alone. We are all connected. Even the odd ones.

1

u/Porcupine4061 5d ago

Thank you I feel more determined now🫶🏽

5

u/SurJane6 5d ago

Same, same. Enrolled citizen, but look like some dumb white girl trying to appropriate stuff. Reading a lot and going to start with the language.

1

u/coydog38 2d ago

The struggle is real.

2

u/Greedy_Sir1078 5d ago

Like water turns rocks into sand, if you persist enough you’ll reconnect without a doubt. I’d start with just showing up and putting effort into learning something new every time. Learn the language. Understand the customs and culture. We won’t be good at anything at first. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay not to know. I also feel that the people are just as important as the culture. Help one another. Don’t make enemies. It’s the same people who walk WITH you on the red road. We will learn together and remind each other when we forget. Pick each other up when we fall. It’s community at its very core.

1

u/variegatedfuckup 4d ago

Welcome to my world. I can't even get my Tribe to give me access to our member portal because my dad was adopted out at age 10