As a Native American, my life experience has been deeply shaped by my heritage, culture, and the challenges that come with being a member of an indigenous community. Growing up, I was surrounded by traditions, stories, and values that have been passed down through generations. These teachings have instilled in me a strong sense of pride in my identity and a deep connection to the land and people of my tribe. One of the biggest challenges I have faced as a Native American is the issue of cultural appropriation. Throughout history, our traditions, symbols, and clothing have been taken and commercialized by non-indigenous people for profit or entertainment. This erasure of our culture is not only disrespectful, but it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about Native Americans. It has been a constant struggle to preserve and protect our traditions in the face of ongoing colonization and cultural appropriation. Despite these challenges, I have also experienced many successes and moments of pride in my identity as a Native American. One of my favorite cultural events is participating in traditional ceremonies and powwows. These gatherings are a time for our community to come together, celebrate our culture, and honor our ancestors. The drumming, dancing, and singing fill me with a sense of belonging and connection to my heritage that is unlike anything else. I have also found strength and resilience in the teachings of my ancestors. The values of respect, humility, and reciprocity have guided me through difficult times and inspired me to work towards a brighter future for my people. I have learned to find beauty and wisdom in the natural world, to listen to the voices of my elders, and to stand up for what I believe in. One of my favorite things to do is to sit around and listen to my grandparents tell stories of the past. My grandfather was 1 of 17 children, and he has many stories. One story that really sticks out to me deals with banking. My grandparent's live on a farm, and used to farm the property. He went to bank for a loan for the farm and was denied because he was Native American. Which makes me very sad. I personally do not look at people based off of their race, we are all the same on the inside. Because of how I was raised and treated, I will never treat someone differently based off of their race. Overall, my life experience as a Native American has been a complex journey of challenges, successes, and growth. I have learned to navigate the complexities of living in a modern world while staying true to my roots and honoring the traditions of my people. My heritage has shaped my identity, my values, and my sense of purpose, and I am proud to carry on the legacy of my ancestors as a Native American.

My name is Savanna Lewis and I have an amazing little boy that I call my little red headed tornado. He goes non-stop from the time he wakes up, until he goes to bed. When Levi was born he was very sick. I was in the hospital for 5 days myself after having an emergency c-section and he was in the NICU for 30 days, being born with meningitis and e-coli. While in the NICU eh was also diagnose with RSV. But he is healthy and thriving now. When he was 6 months old I decided I needed to go back to school and further my career to be the best mothers and provide him with a better future. I have been in Emergency Medical Service for 16 years as an Emergency Medical Technician. I also was a volunteer firefighter for a few years. My husband is also a first responder. And as first responders we don't get paid that much to be honest. Most of us work extra jobs to make ends meet. I currently work full-time and part-time. But being a mom has pushed me even harder to do better in school and show him that it's never too late to go back to school and get an education. I was 30 when I decided to go back. In the beginning going to school and having a child wasn't the hardest, he slept a lot. But as he has grown I have had to learn how to be a student and a mother at the same time. Making sure I make plenty of time for him, while also doing well in school. He likes to try and help me do my schoolwork, which can be hard, but I can never get this time back with him. He doesn't know it, but he's making great memories with me. I am very blessed that at my jobs I am able to work on my schoolwork, so I try my best to do as much as I can while I am at work, so when I am home I am able to dedicate my time to my son. Making sure that you continue to spend time with my son while in school is very important to me. He only goes to preschool 2 days a week, and is home with us the rest of the time. I work 24 hour shifts, which if it was up to my son I would never go to work and stay home with him. But making sure I dedicate my time to my son also is so very important, not just for him but for me also. I'm blessed to be able to be his mom. I will never take him for granted. It took us 5 years to get pregnant, we say a lot of God and a little science went into having him. But bettering myself with going back to school to get my degree in Emergency Management, is not just for me, it do it for my son. So I am able to provide him with a better life.