We are the grandchildren of the Indians they could not erase.
I stand here for my People, proud of my native blood. Proud of my ancestors. Proud of my family who fights through the pain. Proud of my cousins who are living through the generational trauma. Proud of every brown man, woman, and child who looks at their skin and sees beauty. Proud of the People who are just barely surviving, and chose one more day. Proud of the one who chooses healing over another drink. Proud of my grandparents for sustaining their way of life. Proud of my mother for walking in a good way with our Creator. Proud of myself for choosing to speak.
The government has tried to erase us for hundreds of years. We have always fought back. They will not erase us. They will not erase me.
Photography courtesy of Stephanie Ironside