Native American Heritage Month 2024
“You finally came home.”
Who knew words could hold such power? In that instant, I realized that all the wandering and dreams of seeing the world were truly fueled by those who made it possible—my family, my home.
I recently returned from my uncle’s Hopi traditional wedding and was reminded of how rich I am. Being Hopi is a blessing I hold close, a culture that has shaped me into who I am today. To me, being Hopi means not only living on the land but becoming one with it. It’s about taking care of where you are, being present, and appreciating God our Father who protects and provides.
I didn’t grow up as a “rez kid”—I didn’t live in the village, haul water for dishes, or grow up without electricity. Raised in the city, I’d return for dances and family gatherings, always curious about how my mom and family grew up here—and more, how they’re thriving today. Though I loved it, I knew it wasn’t my place. As I grew and visits home became rare, I felt a curiosity growing in me and a weakening in my heart, as though I was losing my connection to this land. Naturally, I wasn’t missing out on the conveniences of city life. Who would choose to live without running water, electricity, or Wi-Fi? Yet, spiritually, my heart longed for home, and it finally found peace when surrounded by the mesas and sand.
It had been years since I’d been home, and it was almost as though the land felt it, too. I felt foreign, a stranger in my own home, and I resented it. I felt guilty, realizing how little the world’s complaints mattered here, ashamed of seeing now how much my family needed me. But I also felt whole again, grounded in the love, peace, and protection that is so often eroded by worldly worries.
Leaving was the hardest part. Not only did my car refuse to start (shutting down overnight and needing a family jump-start!), but my heart didn’t want to part from them either. My work obligations tugged me back to the city, but my heart was bound to my home. Reflecting on that time, I’ve realized a few things: family is everything, and I’m deeply grateful for the one I was born into. Coming home in our culture is so vital—it shows you where you came from, our people’s resilience, and how little the material world matters to survive. It truly is the simple things in life that are often the most beautiful.
It is now the first of November and the first day to blast how proud we are to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Take this time to reflect, reconnect, and rediscover your culture and history. Remember too that no matter how far you are from home, your heart will always know the way back.
Here is a verse for you to reflect on and remember (:
"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
W article
Beautiful writing!