If you were presented with this decision, which would you choose and why?

Question

Consider the choices of Native Americans who decide to stay on their tribe's native land (reservation) and those who choose to relocate to a city.

Answer 1

A friend of mine is Native American and it was crazy when he decided to relocate to New York of all places. There was a lot of turmoil between him and his family because of course they were against it. He asked me what i thought of his decision and i told him to follow his heart. I told him that if relocating and getting out in the world on his own would make him happy then by all means do it. I told him that his family might not approve of it at first but they will always be his family. They will come around sooner or later. He relocated and got a job working as a journalist for Teen Vogue, his family ultimately realized that he was following his dream and everything worked out for the best. This is my advice to you too, follow your heart. If you want to relocate and become independent then don't let anyone hold you back. They will come around in the end when they see what you have accomplished.

Answer 2

Many Native folks choose to stay on the rez, and many choose to leave for jobs or education.

I teach many Native young folks at a non-Native institution, and it's really hard for many of them, especially since the academic calendar is not geared to deal with the needs of traditional religion and traditional family demands.

However, lots of these Native young folks who have opted for education off-rez, plan to (and do!) return to the rez to reconnect with family, and to offer themselves as workers for the benefit of the community.

There are also lots of Native folks who leave home and don't come back, often because of greater economic (and other) opportunities off the rez.

I must say that in truth, I most admire those who return home (or work in off-rez national Native advocacy organizations and such) after receiving higher education elsewhere (including Native colleges). I appreciate their values, and their determination to serve their people in whatever capacity they can. If I were in their shoes, I really hope I'd have the strong community orientation, the conviction, the idealism, the guts and the determination to do the same.