World's Indigenous People Day has me reflecting on the past, planning for the future

My reflection on my people, and their journey through life from past to present, has been in my thoughts non-stop lately. Currently, I'm in the beginning stages of opening a food truck that specializes in Indigenous foods — from Mexican to Native American cuisine.

And in recent news: Boarding schools, some with mass graves (my father and his siblings attended Holy Cross boarding school and have very unpleasant memories), Standing Rock, so on and so forth — these are things my people are facing everyday.

This, along with personal events in my life, has pushed me to try to find a way to make something for my people that reside in the capital city. All of us here are from a reservation somewhere in Turtle Island, but we all come together as one to support each other.

READ MORE: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People celebrates the achievements of my family

There used to be a center here in Lansing, but it no longer exists. I want to bring it back because our people are losing our culture at a fast pace. We have nowhere to gather for traditions, teaching, drums, regalia and other events. Our elders have to go out and meet in restaurants. Our youth gather only periodically through school events. We gather at homes in the community.

It's painful to me when I found so much comfort as a child in the Lansing North American Indian Center.