Who am I, and what do I believe? -Tayla

In order to receive respect, you need to give respect. Believe there is good in bad, in others and yourself. I believe in helping others who have fallen off the “good” road. This goes for traditional ways too. Not every bad guy was or is always bad (metaphorically speaking). It takes time and usually someone’s help or an event to change someone’s ways. Patience is key to helping someone. But there comes a point when a person can’t help someone who does not want to be helped. I try to be compassionate and understanding, for those who are lost or don’t know their ways can be taught. Native Americans are losing their ways. It is up to our elders to teach the younger generation and it is up to the younger generation to want to learn. They forget the significance of sweats, sun dances, and powwows. It’s a time to reflect and rejoice the life you were given. I believe in motivation and taking pride in whom you are and where you come from. Don’t let pride make your head big. There is a fine line between having pride and being arrogant and conceited. Be humble. Tribes are not gangs; you represent your tribe and respect other tribes. I believe in keeping sacred doings, sacred. This means no cameras or videotaping, during sun dances, sweats, Navajo ceremonies, whistled songs, etc; they are sacred for a reason. I have faith and hope, listening to my elders and voicing myself.

Perfection, in my dictionary, does not exist. Nothing is ever perfect, but that is okay. I accept that. I understand mistakes will be made, I may fall off the “good” road, and maybe I have already.  I take those mistakes and learn/grow from them. Someone may be there to guide me or not. I don’t have a place to judge, but I and others have to be able to admit we do judge, whether we notice it or not. I believe in the power of prayer, but that doesn’t mean I have to attend church to prove myself. I offer my prayers in sweat or by myself. I do go to church most Sundays though.  I believe in individualism. I am myself and I have to allow others to be themselves. Almost any and every situation is what I make it. I believe if you want something to happen, you have to make it happen. Stuff doesn’t happen on its own, don’t wait around for other people, just do it. I believe in sticking up for myself.  Do not let someone down grade you and make you believe you’re something you are not. I have strong view points and if someone has different views, that’s okay. In order to be who I am, I have to accept the way I am.

I am a stubborn, stern, compassionate individual who has strong beliefs in my heritage. I am a person that lives by respect and still learning what life is all about and what life has to offer. I am almost a mirror of my mother. I am a proud Navajo, Assiniboine, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, and Klamath.  I am Tayla D.