Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater), a respected Dakota Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and ceremonial leader, often shared his "Spirit of Life" song. He connected it to the Dakota creation story: a blue

Mah Pe Ya Mini (Henry Skywater), a respected Dakota Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and ceremonial leader, often shared his "Spirit of Life" song. He connected it to the Dakota creation story: a blue light journeys from a heavenly house to a mother's womb, lives on Earth, and then returns to its celestial origin.

The song's essence, "Lightning beings! It's me! There is a house in the heavens where I was born," reflects this journey. Shared with his family's permission to continue his legacy, this video is posted on behalf of the Turtle Lodge, where Henry was an Elder, and Elders Circle Seven, who honored him with the Mikinak-Keya Spirit Tour. Learn more about Henry Skywater: Turtle Lodge.

Professor Cornel Pewewardy, a traditional Comanche-Kiowa elder, directs Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University. He addresses the detrimental impact of conventional education on

Professor Cornel Pewewardy, a traditional Comanche-Kiowa elder, directs Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University. He addresses the detrimental impact of conventional education on indigenous culture and language.

Pewewardy advocates for "re-traditionalization," a tribal approach to education designed to counteract these negative effects. He presented these ideas on February 11, 2011, in Portland, Oregon.