Tribe of One, Tribe of All

As humans, we are all tethered together, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.

Last Sunday, I was invited to watch a cultural dance at the San Felipe Pueblo—the first I’ve seen since moving to New Mexico. As we drove past the city and onto tribal land, I could feel the shift within me, as if crossing an invisible threshold between worlds. Stepping out of the car and walking forward into the unknown, I was met with a familiar peace. A comfort that could not be found in the city.

This—this was home away from home. 

It looked like a family gathered together, like children playing in the sand, like meals prepared with love and kindness. Our tribal heritage has always been one of warmth and generosity, even in the face of adversity. No matter who you are or where you come from, you will always find a seat at our table—and the food will always be phenomenal.

One of the many reasons I’ve come to love New Mexico is that no matter where I go, I see people who look like me, and who remind me of our shared culture. Before moving here, I didn’t fully grasp that no matter the tribe, tongue, or nation, we are all connected—woven together by something greater than ourselves. An inner-connectedness rooted in eternal love. An innate desire to praise and worship the God who created us with purpose.

As I sat beside my tribal brothers and sisters, the steady rhythm of the drum carried a sense of comfort, reaching those near and far from home. Whether in the city or on tribal land, nothing compares to the feeling of belonging. For some, home is miles away. For others, it’s just down the road. No matter the distance, our roots are anchored in the love of our family, culture, and faith.

Growing up and moving away has its ups and downs. Only those who have felt the weight of Native American history understand the sorrow it holds. But through love, kindness, and the grace of God, I believe something greater is coming for our people.

Culture is everything—and for some of us, it is fading. It is our responsibility to preserve and uplift our communities so that future generations will never have to question where they belong. Pour into your children. Pour into others. Watch how, piece by piece, our community will mend itself again. After all, it is not about outward appearances; it's the heart, shaped by faith, that matters most.

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building."

1 Corinthians 3:7-9