Native American Heritage Month just wrapped up in November, celebrating the culture, traditions and achievements of Native Americans, Alaska natives, native Hawaiians and affiliated island communities.
“I would say now I’m definitely pretty deep in a phase where I’m trying to incorporate, like, culture and heritage into just who I am and even thinking ahead as to how I can apply it when I have kids and need to pass these traditions on,” Treygan Bragg said.
Bragg is in his fourth year of college and second year at BYU.
“I’m studying biology right now. I want to do wildlife conservation with it,” Bragg said.
Bragg is a Native American student from the Santa Clara Pueblo tribe.
“Cultural dance has really kind of opened my eyes that there is a lot of different ways that you can kind of conserve a culture,” Bragg said.
While he has always understood the importance of his cultural heritage, it wasn't until recent that Bragg began to explore and embrace his cultural traditions on a deeper level.
“I definitely think it was just exposure. Growing up in Idaho, I didn’t live super close to my grandparents that are native,” Bragg said.
Bragg isn’t alone in his journey to reconnect with his culture through language. For JoAnni Begay, embracing her language has been a lifelong pursuit, one that still plays a big role in keeping her connected to her heritage.
Begay introduced herself and her clans in the Navajo language.
“Introducing yourself in Navajo and knowing your clans is, like, the core thing that you need to know. I feel like I got that lesson growing up. I feel a very important call to continue these teachings and continue representing in a good light and I feel like most natives feel that responsibility to continue that on for our ancestors,” Begay said.
As Bragg and Begay continue to honor their cultural traditions, their stories highlight the power of staying connected with one’s roots. For both, it's more than just preserving the past—it's about shaping the future.