In honor of International Cultural Diversity Day, Medical Reviewer Carrie Graubics shares some of the traditions from her Native American culture.
What is the history of your culture?
We have been here since before the arrival of the first colonists in the 1600s. My family derives from 5 Virginia tribes: Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, and Rappahannock.
What traditions are important in your culture?
Keeping traditions is a personal choice and there are various levels of tradition keeping among individuals. It is important to most adults to provide exposure to traditional ways to their children.
How do you think your culture has influenced your personal values and beliefs?
Family and cultural community is extremely important to me and is a major factor within most indigenous communities.
What’s the one thing you would like for people to know about your culture?
Each Native American tribe is unique and though they may share some cultural similarities, there are unique threads within the overall fabric of the various tribal communities. Some of the differences can be categorized by geographical location, such as East Coast tribes vs. West Coast tribes, plains area tribes vs. woodland tribes, etc. For example, music, dance styles, art, and regalia (traditional apparel).
What advice would you give someone who wants to learn more about your culture?
The most impactful way of experiencing the Native American culture would be to attend local cultural events that are open to the public. It’s the most impactful way to experience the music, dancing, art, energy of the people, etc.
Are there festivals in your area that celebrate your culture? If so, when, and where do they take place? What foods are popular in your culture?
Most tribes host an annual festival, or Powwow, that is open to the public. These events are typically held on the tribal grounds of each hosting tribe, which are typically in rural areas. Frybread is a popular cultural food and is usually found at all of these events; however, it is a food that is more prominent among western tribes.