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Native Nuances, Los Angeles, CA (2026)

09/21/2025

Believe it or not, us Ojibwe also have a story about Paul Bunyan. He came to the area known as Red Lake and tried his de-forestation BS, but Nanaboozhoo - The Greatest Ojibwe who ever lived - obviously wasn't having none of that. They got into a fight that lasted 3 days, and finally our hero picked up a giant walleye and slapped the outlander silly with it. Paul got knocked on his ass in a mud puddle, so hard it left an imprint of his bu******ks there in the wet ground...thats why the lake is shaped the way it is and why we were able to keep our forest. You'll never hear this story in a book, but that's basically how I heard it from my father when I was young - after coming home from kindergarten in bemidj (pauls favorite town, mwahaha!) and talking about him. That's the story behind the Paul/Babe & Nanaboozhoo statues in that town. This used to be a sign at the rez line, I remember the chimooks didn't like it and kept cutting it down. But the story lives on, and now you know..

09/20/2025

Indigenous Peoples discovered Columbus lost as sea.
These Lands were never vacant.

Indigenous Peoples did not *happily* give over the Land.

Columbus wrote of Indigenous Peoples’ kindness and hospitality.

Columbus also wrote of how their kindness could be used against them.

Columbus was a sh*tass—both metaphorically and physically. indigenous Peoples showed colonizers the importance of bathing.

Indigenous Peoples are STILL here.

Every breath we take is the biggest f*k you to colonizers.

So take a deep breath in, fam.

We are here, we’ve always been here, and we’ll always be here 🖤🪶

History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from it. And if it offends you, even better. Because then you are less likely to repeat it. It’s not yours for you to erase or destroy.

09/20/2025

In Cherokee culture, women held significant positions and enjoyed certain privileges and responsibilities.
Women in Cherokee society were considered equals to men and could earn the title of War Women. They had the right to participate in councils and make decisions alongside men. This equality sometimes led outsiders to make derogatory remarks, such as the accusation of a "petticoat government" by the Irish trader Adair.

Clan kinship was matrilineal among the Cherokee, meaning that family lineage and inheritance were traced through the mother's side. Children grew up in their mother's house, and maternal uncles held the role of teaching boys essential skills related to hunting, fishing, and tribal duties.

Women owned houses and their furnishings, and marriages were often negotiated. In the event of a divorce, a woman would simply place her spouse's belongings outside the house. Cherokee women had diverse responsibilities, including caring for children, cooking, tanning skins, weaving baskets, and cultivating fields. Men contributed to some household chores but primarily focused on hunting.

Cherokee girls learned various skills by observing and participating in their community. They learned story, dancing, and acquired knowledge about their heritage. Women were integral to the Cherokee society, and their roles played a central part in the community's functioning and adaptation to changing circumstances.

09/19/2025

Remembering the True First People
In the faces of these great leaders — Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph, Red Cloud, Geronimo, and Sitting Bull — lies the story of a land before it was called home by many. Their eyes, fierce and wise, reflect a connection to the earth that is ancient and sacred. They are the ancestors, the first guardians of this continent’s spirit.

The words above remind us of a truth often forgotten: “Unless your ancestors look like this, you’re probably an immigrant.” This is not a statement of exclusion but a call to remember where history begins, to honor the people who lived in harmony with the land long before borders were drawn.

These leaders stood with courage against forces that threatened to erase their cultures, their languages, and their ways of life. They fought not for conquest but for survival, for the right to remain in their homelands, for the respect owed to the original stewards of this land.

In honoring them, we acknowledge the deep roots that bind us to place and heritage. To remember them is to recognize that many are newcomers, invited or otherwise, to a land whose story started long before.

Their faces call us to humility, respect, and understanding — to listen to the land and its history with open hearts. They ask us to carry forward the lessons of resilience, courage, and the sacred duty to protect the earth and each other.

This image is a reminder: to truly know where you come from, to see the land through the eyes of its first people, is to understand the depth of identity, belonging, and the cost of displacement.

May we honor these ancestors by honoring the land and all who walk upon it — with respect, truth, and justice.

09/19/2025

John Smith, also known as Ga-Be-Nah-Gewey-Wence, was a Native American of the Ojibwe (Chippewa) tribe, who became famous for his astonishing age. He is believed to have been born in the late 1700s, possibly around 1785, and lived until 1922, claiming to have been 137 years old at the time of his death.
His life spanned an incredible three centuries, which made him a living symbol of enduring history and resilience. He witnessed tremendous changes, from pre-colonial times, through the industrial revolution, to the early modern period of the 20th century.— in New York, NY, United States.

Smith lived most of his life near Cass Lake, Minnesota, and was well-known among both Native and non-Native communities for his remarkable age and the intricate tattoos on his face. Although there is some skepticism about the accuracy of his age, John Smith's legacy endures, representing the rich heritage and deep history of Native American culture.

His life and stories are reminders of the wisdom and strength of indigenous people, and he remains a figure of fascination in American history.

09/18/2025

Cherokee Women and Their Important Roles:Women in the Cherokee society were equal to men. They could earn the title of War Women and sit in councils as equals. This privilege led an Irishman named Adair who traded with the Cherokee from 1736-1743 to accuse the Cherokee of having a "petticoat government".
Clan kinship followed the mother's side of the family. The children grew up in the mother's house, and it was the duty of an uncle on the mother's side to teach the boys how to hunt, fish, and perform certain tribal duties. The women owned the houses and their furnishings. Marriages were carefully negotiated, but if a woman decided to divorce her spouse, she simply placed his belongings outside the house. Cherokee women also worked hard. They cared for the children, cooked, tended the house, tanned skins, wove baskets, and cultivated the fields. Men helped with some household chores like sewing, but they spent most of their time hunting.

Cherokee girls learned by example how to be warriors and healers. They learned to weave baskets, tell stories, trade, and dance. They became mothers and wives, and learned their heritage. The Cherokee learned to adapt, and the women were the core of the Cherokee

09/18/2025

We do NOT carry white sage (salvia apiana), or products containing white sage in our store.
**WHY?**

**OUT OF RESPECT TOWARD NATURE**

White sage is only native to Southern California and Northern Mexico.

Because of its popularity, it has been drastically overharvested and its population damaged.

It is illegal to harvest white sage from nature reserves, so most of the white sage on the market is obtained illegally and unethically, despite the claims of those selling it.

**OUT OF RESPECT TOWARD INDIGENOUS PEOPLE**

White sage is extremely sacred to the Indigenous tribes of Southern California/Northern Mexico, and they have less access to it since it has been in such high demand.

Indigenous Peoples of this land teach that this sacred plant should NEVER be sold. Many believe it ceases to be medicinal once money is exchanged to acquire it.

Indigenous Peoples of this land have been asking non-indigenous folks to stop using this plant.

Using the sacred practices of Indigenous People without permission is cultural appropriation.

**WHY DOES CULTURAL APPROPRIATION MATTER?**

Between 1492 and 1600, at least 55 million people native to the Americas were killed from disease and violence brought by European settlers. They continued to struggle for the next 400 years due to displacement, land theft, war, racism and oppression.

Indigenous People of the US were forbidden to practice their beliefs and traditions until 1978, when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed.

Until then, they were forced to attend "Indian Boarding Schools", where they endured neglect, abuse and forced assimilation.

It is disrespectful and harmful to appropriate the spiritual practices, hairstyles, crafts, regalia and medicines of Indigenous People when they have suffered such massive cultural loss and separation from their ancestral traditions. We are not entitled to their tools and medicine.

"Smudging" is a very specific act practiced by certain Indigenous tribes in the US. Many have asked non-indigenous folks to stop using that word to describe smoke cleansing, as they are different.

We do not use the word "smudge sticks" to describe bundles of herbs meant for burning.

Smudging is a spiritual practice that requires training and initiation. People from outside the culture cannot just decide to practice it.

Anyone can cleanse a space with smoke, just remember to open a window!

**ALTERNATIVES TO WHITE SAGE**

Any other kind of sage! Garden sage, black sage, common sage, etc.

Lavender, bay leaves, mugwort, rosemary, pine, lemongrass, eucalyptus.

Fair trade incense sticks (not containing white sage).

Investigate your own ancestral traditions for ideas; many cultures around the world use smoke cleansing medicine and you may find something even more fulfilling for you in your goals to "clear the air".

09/17/2025

In 1973, the Academy Awards witnessed one of its most unforgettable moments. Marlon Brando, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his iconic role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather, shocked Hollywood by refusing the award. Instead of attending the ceremony, he sent Native American activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the Oscar on his behalf. Wearing traditional Apache attire, Littlefeather walked onto the stage and explained that Brando could not accept the award because of Hollywood’s negative portrayal of Native Americans and the ongoing standoff at Wounded Knee, where members of the American Indian Movement were in a tense conflict with federal authorities.Her speech was brief and met with a mixed reaction of applause and boos, sparking immediate controversy. Brando’s detailed statement, which Littlefeather held in her hands, criticized the film industry for promoting harmful stereotypes and ignoring Indigenous voices. The incident brought Native American issues into the national spotlight, but it also came at a personal cost for Littlefeather, who later revealed she was blacklisted in Hollywood for her actions. Today, the protest is remembered as one of the boldest acts of activism on a global stage, changing how award shows and audiences think about representation and cultural respect.

09/17/2025

Yarrow is one of nature’s most versatile healers, and despite being labeled as “invasive” due to its aggressive nature (it can be a spreader!), it’s actually a really beneficial plant that’s native across most of North America! An ancient herb, it’s been cherished for its medicinal properties for centuries. With its powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and wound-healing abilities, yarrow has long been used to stop bleeding, speed up the healing of cuts and scrapes, and soothe skin irritations. It’s also a wonderful digestive aid, helping to calm bloating and cramping. Feeling under the weather? Yarrow can help reduce fever, ease cold symptoms, and promote relaxation.One of the best things about yarrow is how easy it is to incorporate into your herbal medicine cabinet. You can brew it into a healing tea, create soothing salves for skin, or make a potent tincture to take internally. Whether you’re treating a wound, boosting your immune system, or just seeking calm, yarrow is a must-have herb for any natural remedy enthusiast. 🌿
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09/16/2025

Cheyenne Dog Soldier, 1840. The Dog Soldiers were the Cheyenne Elite, they formed their own bands within the Cheyenne Nation, they often gave their own lives to protect their women and children, they were very much feared by the white Soldiers, and their Native American Foes, Pawnee, Ute, to name but a few, however, they where honoured Allies of the Lakota Sioux, and the Arapahoe's, Comanche's and Kiowa's, the mention of the words "Cheyenne Dog Soldier", put Fear into the most hardest of white Soldiers, they are still the most famous warrior society on Earth today. AHO. Please (follow + ) us to know more things that knowledge cannot be found in books, school ! Thank you for your interest

09/16/2025

Legend of the White BuffaloSioux (lakota)
The White Buffalo are sacred to many Native Americans. The Lakota (Sioux) Nation has passed down The Legend of the White Buffalo–a story now approximately 2,000 years old–at many council meetings, sacred ceremonies, and through the tribe’s storytellers. There are several variations, but all are meaningful and tell of the same outcome. Have communication with the Creator through prayer with clear intent for Peace, Harmony, and Balance for all life living in the Earth Mother.
Spirituality among Natives Americans and non-Native Americans has been a strong force for those who believe in the power of the Great Spirit or God.
It matters not what you call the Creator. What matters is that you pray to give thanks for your blessings and trust the guidance given to you from the world of Spirit. Many truths about Spirit are told and handed down from one generation to the next.
The legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman tells how the People had lost the ability to communicate with the Creator. The Creator sent the sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman to teach the People how to pray with the Pipe. With that Pipe, seven sacred ceremonies were given for the people to abide in order to ensure a future with harmony, peace, and balance.
Legend says that long ago, two young men were out hunting when from out of nowhere came a beautiful maiden dressed in white buckskin. One of the hunters looked upon her and recognizing her as a wakan, or sacred being lowered his eyes. The second hunter approached her with lust in his eyes desiring her for his woman. White Buffalo Calf Woman beckoned the lustful warrior to her, and as he approached a cloud of dust arose around them causing them to be hidden from view. When the dust settled, nothing but a pile of bones lay next to her.
As she walked toward the respectful young hunter, she explained to him that she had merely fulfilled the other man’s desire, allowing him, within that brief moment, to live a lifetime, die and decay. White Buffalo Calf Woman instructed the young man to go back to the People and tell them to prepare for her arrival to teach them of the way to pray. The young hunter obeyed.
When White Buffalo Calf woman arrived with the sacred bundle (the prayer pipe) she taught the People of the seven sacred ways to pray. These prayers are through ceremonies that include the Sweat Lodge for purification; the Naming Ceremony for child naming; the Healing Ceremony to restore health to the body, mind and spirit; the adoption ceremony for making of relatives; the marriage ceremony for uniting male and female; the Vision Quest for communing with the Creator for direction and answers to one’s life; and the Sundance Ceremony to pray for the well-being of all the People.
When the teaching of the sacred ways was complete, White Buffalo Calf Woman told the people she would again return for the sacred bundle that she left with them. Before leaving, she told them that within her were the four ages and that she would look back upon the People in each age, returning at the end of the fourth age, to restore harmony and spirituality to a troubled land. She walked a short distance, she looked back towards the people and sat down. When she arose they were amazed to see she had become a black buffalo. Walking a little further, the buffalo laid down, this time arising as a yellow buffalo. The third time the buffalo walked a little further and this time arose as a red buffalo. Walking a little further it rolled on the ground and rose one last time as a white buffalo calf signaling the fulfillment of the White Buffalo Calf prophecy.
The changing of the four colors of the White Buffalo Calf Woman represents the four colors of man–white, yellow, red and black. These colors also represent the four directions, north, east, south, and west. The sacred bundle that was left to the Lakota people is still with the People in a sacred place on the Cheyenne River Indian reservation in South Dakota. It is kept by a man known as the Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, Arvol Looking Horse.
The legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman remains ever promising in this age of spiritual enlightenment and conscious awareness. In today’s world of confusion and war, many of us are looking for signs of peace.
“With the return of the White Buffalo, it is a sign that prayers are being heard, that the sacred pipe is being honored, and that the promises of prophecy are being fulfilled. White Buffalo signals a time of abundance and plenty.”
Though harsh as the world we live in may be throughout recorded history there have been spiritual leaders teaching peace, hope, and balance (synergy) amongst all life. This was taught by great teachers such as Jesus, Buddha, the Dali Lama’s, and Native American leaders.
Chief Crazy Horse, Chief Seattle, and Chief Red Cloud are a few of the visionary leaders who committed their lives to bring peace, and internal happiness to all who they touched. They were tangible signs of goodwill toward all men, women, and children.

09/15/2025

Meaning of Feathers
The Meaning of Feathers and the beliefs and culture of Native American Indian tribes

The Meaning of Feathers plays an important role in the belief system of Native American Indians. Their beliefs are based on Animism which embodies the spiritual idea that all natural things within the universe, including birds, have souls or spirits. Animists believe that souls or spirits exist, not only in humans, but also in birds, their feathers and in animals, plants, rocks and natural phenomena. The doctrine of animism is that everything is alive, and possesses an inherent virtue, power and wisdom.

The Meaning of Feathers

The generalized meaning of feathers signified honor & connected the owner with the Creator and the bird the feathers came from. Native Indian warriors were awarded a feather when they took coup or were particularly brave in battle. When a feather falls to earth, the Native Americans believe it carries all of the energy of its former attachment on a bird to a living being. Feathers are perceived as gifts from the sky, the sea and the trees. Feathers arrive unexpectedly, but not without purpose.

Smudge Feather

Meaning of Feathers and Birds

Birds were revered as bringers of messages and symbols of change and often symbolized light-hearted freedom and their feathers have many spiritual, ceremonial & ritual uses. Decorated feathers were sometimes attached to sacred pipes or prayer sticks. In the ancient culture and traditions of Native Americans the meaning of feathers are inextricably tied to the belief that birds, as spirit guides, walk through different stages of life with a person, teaching and guiding them, and in some instances protecting them.

The meaning of birds and their feathers are of great significance as they are believed to possess supernatural powers that can embody, attach and influence a person empowering them with the powerful traits, attributes and characteristics of the bird. The following chart describes the meanings of feathers providing information of the significance of each bird together with its meaning, attributes, c

Bluebird

A feather from a bluebird symbolizes happiness and fulfilment

Crow

A feather from a crow symbolizes balance, release from

past beliefs, skill and cunning

Dove

A feather from a dove symbolizes love, gentleness and kindness

Eagle

A feather from an eagle symbolizes great strength, courage leadership and prestige. The bald eagle and the golden eagle were considered sacred birds

Falcon

A feather from a falcon symbolizes soul healing, speed and movement

Hawk

A feather from a hawk symbolizes guardianship, strength

and far-sightedness

Heron

A feather from a heron symbolizes patience, grace and confidence

Hummingbird

A feather from the hummingbird symbolizes love, beauty, intelligence - A Spirit Messenger and Stopper of Time

Kingfisher

A feather from a kingfisher symbolizes luck, patience, speed and agility

Owl

A feather from a owl symbolizes wisdom, the ability to see things normally, a creature of the night - silent and swift,

Raven

A feather from a raven symbolizes creation & knowledge - the Bringer of the Light

Swallow

A feather from a Swallow symbolizes peace and love

Turkey

A feather from a turkey symbolizes abundance, pride

and fertility

Woodpecker

A feather from a Woodpecker symbolizes self discovery

Wren

A feather from a Wren symbolizes protection

photo: via Taneika Sadewasser

Native Nuances

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