Unbroken: Native Americans Today

Maya Horse, Oglala Lakota, 17 years old

Most young Native Americans that attend public schools face a far more difficult world than the one experienced by their classmates. A severe lack of Native American studies in classes, the unfamiliarity of Native culture by others, as well as being a part of a demographic that makes up less than 1% of the population often places them on the receiving end of many misinterpretations and stereotypes.

These pressures have caused many Native children to commit suicide, and according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, Native American youths are the most likely of any demographic to attempt it.

"I don't talk about my Native American heritage when I go to school because most people don't want to understand that part of me. Some people tease me and call me 'Sacajawea' and do that hand gesture and yelling (the 'war whoop') out loud. Also once in my school cheer squad we did a prayer and I said 'Aho' (a Lakota word often said at the end of prayers) instead of 'Amen' and some of the girls laughed at me." - Maya Horse, Oglala Lakota Native, 17 years old.

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