My summer is turning out to be a really good one and I am getting a lot of traveling in, which will begin next weekend. This coming weekend is the Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow in the cape, the biggest pow wow in the New England region. It should be a blast! It's a competition pow wow so we will want to sound good, though for us it's not about the money or winning, it's about singing for the people. If you are in Massachusetts or Rhode Island you should plan to try and come! I promise you it is worth your time. More is here: https://www.facebook.com/mwtribe/vi.....8/?pnref=story

Immediately after the pow wow I'm flying to Minneapolis to then drive to Rapid City, SD to begin my trip to the Dakotas. I'll be attending a conference there on Native health and then doing some visiting of places, including the Black Hills; a place I have wanted to see for a long time. I'll be visiting a few Indian reservations and will be camping. As a result my connectivity is going to be limited so if you don't see me on social media as much, that's why; though knowing me, I'll probably find a way to log on and update, heh...

Finally, I just bought my plane ticket a few days ago to go back home in August. I'll be flying into Phoenix and being picked up from there. It's a trip that I desperately need as many of you probably know. I'll also be spending some time in SoCal on that trip to visit my friends out there. I can't wait to hang out with you all again. This trip will also mark the first time I meet with my elders since coming out with my gender identity. These will be important steps for me culturally and spiritually to become the person I need to be. To describe what is going to happen and what is happening inside me is something that can not be put into English words. As I discover these things, I understand why elders urge us to learn our languages, because the Dineh language has words that perfectly describe what I am and what is happening in my growth, and there is no English translation, and there is no way to translate it in a way where it will make sense. I will say though that I am blessed to have them help me. I am blessed to have all of you guys as friends too, helping me and supporting me every step of the way.

As I look toward the future and continue my career here in Boston, I start to realize how much I've grown, and it seems the more I grow up, the more I realize I have a lot more growing up to do, more learning to do. My journey still has so much road for me to travel. Maybe all these trips are a sign of what is to come. There is a lot for me to learn and it excites me when I think about how much I've learned in only the last few years. I am blessed. Thank you all who took time to read this! <3