Though cultures as do people evolve over time, certain belief systems can stand the test of time. As christianity has evolved over time though is still very much in existence, Native American spiritual beliefs are the same.

I grew up on a small reservation in Northern California boardering Nevada. We lived in a modern home and benefited from electricity and all the modern technologies. We were nestled up in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and though we benefited from technology, we also embraced traditional values and beliefs passed down from our ancestors.

We were always taught as children the importance of learning and passing on our native language. We were told creation stories that were as old as our tribe. We were taught to respect our elders and to live in harmony with the earth. All these teachings were passed down from generation to generation. What would we be if we did not continue to pass down this wisdom of the elders? Could we even consider ourselves to be indigenous if we no longer speak our languages or sing our songs?

The importance of cultural preservation for Native Americans is crucial. To remain our identity, we must continue to embrace the teachings of our ancestors. We must keep our languages and ceremonies alive. This is not to say that we cannot adapt to modern times and schools of thought. Many of us leave the reservation and go off to college. Though, many of us also go back to our communities and continue to live a life of two worlds- one of who we were and one of who we’ve become. That is what it is like being a Native American; living in two worlds.

We’ve learned to adapt, to evolve. We continue to honor our ancestors by way of song and ceremony. Yet, we drive cars and listen to Ipods just like everyone else. There was a time when we did not have religous freedom. There was a time when a great fear was struck into the hearts of our people for being who we are. Though that time has passed and we are now in a time of healing and great cultural revitilization.

If we continue to pass on our culture to our future generations, then we will continue to thrive as a people. Though, if we let go of the old wisdom, we let go of who we are and we are no longer.