I was adopted, and a recent DNA test shows I’m Native. How do I find my tribe and begin reconnecting?

Thank you for your question. I am always glad to hear when someone wants to connect to their culture. The issues around DNA testing are complicated and controversial. The short answer is that there is no DNA test to prove ties to a specific tribe. &nbs...Read More

Hi auntie. Me and my boyfriend of over a year just broke up and I have to see him at school everyday. I’ve started to have thoughts about hurting myself cause the pain of us breaking up hurts so much what do I do!

  If you are feeling suicidal you should call 911 immediately, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or a mental health professional you can find through your tribal clinic, or school counselor.   You're doing ...Read More

Your male friend tells you that he had an unwanted sexual experience when he was younger with someone he looked up to. He questions if it was sexual assault because he was sexually aroused during the interaction. what do you do?

Some possible options (depending on your comfort and his openness to further discussion) include: Offer encouragement for his willingness to consider a challenging question. Listen neutrally. Avoid defining what happened for him. Explore whethe...Read More

I grew up in an urban city in Oklahoma. I want to move back to my ancestral lands, but I’m scared of not being accepted by my relations back home. How do I confront this fear?

Thanks for writing in. I find your journey incredibly brave and exciting!   It seems like you have a strong idea or expectation of what will happen if you move home. Take time to think about what is it exactly that you want. What are you hoping to ...Read More

I have a friend who’s suicidal, and he told me he loved me. I want to be friends but I feel like it will make him hurt himself. What do I do?

I have a friend who’s suicidal, and he told me he loved me. I want to be friends but I feel like it will make him hurt himself. What do I do? This is a really hard thing to have to deal with. It is important to understand that you are not resp...Read More