Anishinaabe Reflection: Celebrating Native American Heritage Month with Pride and Healing
Growing up in the inner city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, my family’s primary community event as Anishinaabe was attending the September powwow at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. This annual gathering held a special place in our hearts. It was the one time and place where my mother would relax her worry and suspicion and allow us kids to freely enjoy our cultural heritage.
As a child, I found myself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the powwow. I laughed and ran freely in the drum circle, explored the teepees filled with the comforting scent of smudge, and witnessed the joy on my mother’s face as she connected with people who looked like us. This experience filled me with pride and happiness, especially in a time when our history was barely mentioned in textbooks, often accompanied by derogatory images. The powwow weekend by the river became a moment of transformation, where shame turned into excitement and pride.
As I grew older and became more involved in scholarship and grassroots activism, my connection with the Anishinaabe community deepened. It became an integral part of my daily life and that of my three children. I am grateful to the elders, teachers, and culture carriers who have welcomed us with love and shared their teachings and lifeways. Living as Anishinaabe has provided me with the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional foundation to work towards the restoration and recovery of our heritage and the well-being of all living beings.
Native American Heritage Month holds different meanings for different people. While it is an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness about our rich culture and history, it can also be seen as a limited recognition within a dominant culture that often perpetuates exploitative practices. The idea that our heritage is only acknowledged for a month while the rest of the year is marked by erasure or shame is unsettling. It brings back memories of the imbalances I experienced as a child and the painful era of boarding schools that sought to erase our tribal identities.
My parents, who met at an Indian boarding school, carried the trauma of their experiences throughout their lives. They were denied the chance to live as Anishinaabe and faced the perpetual ache of cultural alienation. Their struggle and the pain endured by countless survivors and those who didn’t make it back provide a powerful lens through which we can approach Native American Heritage Month.
When asked for my perspective during this specific time of year, it is a personal decision with considerations of my own healing journey and ongoing learning. Personally, I see Native American Heritage Month as an opportunity to speak honestly as an Anishinaabekwe, proud of my Turtle Clan heritage. It is a chance to share insights that may resonate with others, bringing awareness to the interconnectedness of our heritage, the healing process, and our collective responsibility to protect and restore the land and water.
Dabasendiziwin, or humility, keeps us grounded in gratitude for the gifts of the living Earth. Guided by our Grandfather teachings, we can bridge the awareness of our heritage with healing practices. November serves as a reminder that more people are paying attention, and it presents a platform for us to make a positive impact on our community, our children, and our elders.
As Anishinaabe, we don’t need a particular month to embrace our identity. We can continue to be who we are every day, fostering the restoration and celebration of our heritage.
Dr. Nichole Keway Biber is a tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. She leads the Wolf/Wildlife Preservation Team as part of the Anishinabek Caucus in Michigan.
About the Author: Levi Calm Before the Storm Rickert is the founder, publisher, and editor of Native News Online. He has been recognized with the Best Column 2021 Native Media Award by the Native American Journalists Association for the print/online category. Rickert is also a member of the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net.
