Tribal traditions are under attack in Indian country because of assimilationist pressures. But traditionalists are finding novel ways to cope and in the process are becoming healthier and better off than before. Many young Indians all over the United States, Canada and South America are increasingly embracing tradition.

When Faith was disenrolled by her tribe over casino per-cap disputes, she started learning her language from her grandma. “I don't need the federal government or the tribe to tell me I am Indian,” she says, “I get my Indianness from my language.” And she has a point. The Sapir-Whorf theory says that a language affects the perceptions of reality of its speakers and thus determines or influences their thought patterns and worldviews. This theory tells us that if we speak in an Indian language, we also start thinking like an Indian; likewise, if we speak in a European language like English, we think like a European and eventually become one. If this isn't a strong enough reason to learn our languages, we don't know what is.

Nineteen-year old Elizabeth strives to emulate her ancestors. She refuses to have her picture taken; and like her ancestors, she even refuses to point. When Elizabeth received a $250 award at the year-end party, she immediately gave the money to a needy elder who was sitting next to her. Her ancestors would have done the same thing. We always valued giving over receiving. Wealth was measured by how much you gave away rather than how much you had: a man with one horse who had given away three was wealthier than someone with ten horses who hadn't given away any.

A friend, Tyler, sews elaborate traditional clothes when a person dies. In three days, these clothes so painstakingly sewn by Tyler are burned in the traditional ceremony. But that does not deter Tyler. He still puts enormous effort into his sewing and makes the very best clothes even though he knows they will be burned three days later at the funeral. This is the traditional way of honoring his departed tribal members. Following tradition has given Tyler inner strength and helped him kick his heroin habit.