The focus on this article is demographics, but the most important things to tribes are our language, culture, and tribal sovereignty. We are not a box on a cens

The focus on this article is demographics, but the most important things to tribes are our language, culture, and tribal sovereignty. We are not a box on a census form and never will be. We are pre-Constitutional sovereigns, recognized by our treaties with the U.S. and Canada. States like Michigan might force our teachers get "foreign language certificates," despite the fact that Michigan is a word from our language[0], but my children speak their language and our culture are pillars of strength and stability in our family. Blood quanta, problems of race in America, what to call us -- that's not our focus. [0]https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/michigan-education/2017-04-12/meet-the-only-michigan-teacher-endorsed-to-teach-anishinaabemowin https://www.interlochenpublicradio.org/michigan-education/20...