Native American Identity

Fundamentals

The concept of Native American Identity, for Roothea, is a profound and living explanation of belonging, history, and spirit, deeply connected to the land and the ancestral wisdom that has shaped Indigenous communities for millennia. It is a vibrant declaration of self, rooted in a rich heritage that extends far beyond contemporary classifications. At its most fundamental, this identity speaks to the spiritual connection to the earth, the strength of kinship systems, and the enduring vitality of distinct cultural practices, many of which are beautifully expressed through hair.

Hair, in numerous Native American nations, holds a revered position, considered a physical extension of one’s thoughts, prayers, dreams, and experiences. It serves not merely as a physiological attribute but as a sacred repository of personal and collective history, a tangible link to ancestors and the creative forces of the universe. This understanding forms a foundational pillar of identity, emphasizing self-respect and pride through meticulous grooming and ceremonial adornment.

The care of hair, therefore, transcends simple hygiene; it becomes a ritual, a daily act of honoring one’s lineage and affirming one’s place within the community. Ancient practices, passed down through generations, often involved natural ingredients sourced from the land, reflecting a harmonious relationship with the environment. The specific ways hair was styled or cared for often conveyed social status, tribal affiliation, or significant life events, acting as a visual language of identity.

Native American Identity is a living testament to ancestral connections, expressed vividly through the spiritual and cultural significance of hair.

Across the diverse tapestry of Indigenous peoples, from the Plains to the Southwest, hair has consistently been regarded as a source of strength and spiritual power. This understanding permeates daily life and ceremonial preparations, where hair is groomed with great care and ornamented with items such as feathers, beads, and fur wraps, each carrying its own layer of meaning and connection to the tribal worldview.

The meaning embedded within these hair traditions also extended to the very act of its growth and potential cutting. Long hair, for many, symbolized a strong cultural identity and a deep connection to Mother Earth, whose own hair is often seen in the long grasses of the prairie. The act of cutting hair was reserved for moments of profound grief, significant loss, or major life transitions, signifying an ending and a new beginning, with the severed hair handled ceremonially, often burned with sacred plants like sage or sweetgrass. This practice underscores the profound reverence for hair as a part of one’s being, a vessel for memories and spirit.

Early Understandings of Hair and Identity

From the earliest communal gatherings, Indigenous peoples recognized hair as a powerful visual marker. The shape and length of hair, the ways it was dressed, and the materials used for its care were all elements that contributed to a collective understanding of who one was within their tribal context. These initial perceptions of hair’s significance were not merely aesthetic; they were deeply interwoven with spiritual beliefs and the cyclical rhythms of the natural world.

The earliest records, often conveyed through oral traditions and later documented by observers, describe hair as a conduit for spiritual energy and a physical manifestation of an individual’s journey. For instance, the Lakota believe hair represents strength and connection to ancestors, holding memories and experiences. This foundational understanding of hair as a sacred extension of self laid the groundwork for complex care practices and styling conventions that became integral to tribal identity.

• Yucca Root ❉ Employed by many tribes as a natural shampoo, the crushed roots would produce a lather for cleansing hair, leaving it nourished.
• Bear Grease ❉ Widely used as a pomade or hair dressing, providing moisture and helping to style hair, particularly among tribes like the Delaware, Huron, and Sauk.
• Sweetgrass ❉ This sacred plant, used in ceremonies, also found its way into hair care, sometimes woven into braids or used as a tea for a shiny, fragrant hair tonic.
• Aloe Vera ❉ Utilized for its soothing and moisturizing properties, protecting hair and skin from harsh environmental conditions.

Intermediate

Moving beyond the foundational understanding, the intermediate interpretation of Native American Identity deepens to encompass the rich diversity and resilience inherent in Indigenous cultures, particularly as expressed through textured hair heritage. It acknowledges that there is no singular Native American identity, but rather a constellation of distinct tribal identities, each with its own nuanced traditions, languages, and historical experiences. This understanding is crucial when exploring hair, as practices varied significantly from nation to nation, reflecting unique ecological environments and cultural narratives.

The physical characteristics of hair among Native American populations also exhibit a spectrum of textures, predominantly straight or wavy, influenced by genetic factors such as the EDAR gene variant, which is prevalent in many East Asian and Native American groups. However, within this broad classification, variations in thickness and subtle wave patterns exist, reflecting millennia of adaptation and distinct ancestral lineages. Understanding these biological underpinnings allows for a more informed appreciation of how traditional care practices were developed to honor and maintain these specific hair qualities.

The diversity of Native American hair traditions mirrors the varied landscapes and distinct cultural expressions of Indigenous nations.

The historical experience of colonization introduced immense challenges to the preservation of Native American identity, and hair became a focal point of assimilation efforts. The forced cutting of long hair in boarding schools, a practice documented as early as the late 19th century, was a deliberate act designed to strip Indigenous children of their cultural ties, spiritual connections, and sense of self. This act was deeply traumatic, symbolizing the severance of a profound link to ancestry and community, and its reverberations continue to be felt across generations.

Despite these systemic attempts at erasure, Native American communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience. The preservation and revitalization of traditional hair practices today represent acts of cultural continuity and self-determination. Contemporary Native Americans often wear their hair in traditional styles as a visible assertion of their identity, a reclaiming of what was forcibly taken, and a testament to the enduring strength of their heritage. This includes men and boys who choose to grow their hair long, facing modern-day bullying or institutional resistance, yet holding firm to the teachings that hair represents strength, spirit, and connection to the land and ancestors.

The Interconnectedness of Hair and Cultural Survival

The survival of hair traditions is inextricably linked to the survival of Indigenous cultures themselves. When children were compelled to abandon their languages and customs in boarding schools, the forced haircuts served as a stark visual manifestation of this cultural genocide. Yet, the stories of resistance, the quiet acts of defiance, and the persistent teaching of traditional ways by elders ensured that the knowledge of hair’s sacredness persisted.

For instance, the Choctaw people, known historically as ‘Pashi Falaya’ or the ‘Long Hairs’ by neighboring tribes, maintained traditions of long hair for generations, even as their culture adapted through time. This historical persistence underscores how deeply ingrained hair practices are within the fabric of identity, serving as a silent, yet powerful, declaration of cultural continuity even in the face of immense pressure.

The act of communal hair care, such as braiding each other’s hair at pow-wows, continues to be a powerful way to bond and reinforce the sacredness of relationships, embodying the teaching that individual strands are weak, but braided together, they are strong. This collective approach to hair care reflects a broader communal worldview, where individual well-being is tied to the strength and health of the entire group.

Academic

From an academic vantage, the Native American Identity is not a static concept but a dynamic, self-determined articulation of cultural belonging, historical consciousness, and sovereign agency. It is a complex interplay of kinship structures, spiritual frameworks, land relationships, and linguistic heritage, continually shaped by both internal community practices and external colonial pressures. This identity is understood as a form of cultural continuity, defined as the degree to which an Indigenous individual or community is integrated within their culture, maintaining collective memory and transmitting traditional knowledge across generations. (Snowshoe et al.

2014, p. 249) This perspective moves beyond simplistic notions of acculturation, recognizing the enduring resilience and adaptability of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

The meaning of Native American Identity is thus rooted in the active practice of traditional lifeways, including the nuanced realm of hair care. Hair, in this context, becomes a powerful semiotic system, conveying layers of social, spiritual, and political meaning. The morphology of Indigenous hair, predominantly straight or wavy with varying degrees of coarseness, is genetically influenced by variants like EDARV370A, which is highly prevalent in Native American populations.

(Fu et al. 2013) This biological predisposition for certain hair textures informed ancestral care practices, which were developed not in ignorance, but through generations of empirical observation and intimate knowledge of local ethnobotanical resources.

The historical imposition of Western beauty standards and the systematic dismantling of Indigenous cultural practices, particularly through the residential and boarding school systems, serve as a stark illustration of the assault on Native American identity. A particularly potent example of this systemic attack on identity through hair is the widespread practice of forcibly cutting the long hair of Indigenous children upon their arrival at these institutions. This was not merely a disciplinary measure; it was a deliberate act of cultural eradication, intended to sever the spiritual and familial ties symbolized by long hair. (Moses, 2018)

The deliberate cutting of Indigenous children’s hair in boarding schools represents a profound historical trauma, a symbolic severing of cultural and spiritual ties.

The profound impact of this policy is captured in numerous testimonies, such as that of Dorothy Peche, a Shoshone tribal member who attended a federal boarding school. She recounted the day her hair was cut, stating it felt as though they “cut throat.” This visceral description underscores the deep spiritual and personal connection Indigenous peoples hold with their hair, viewing it as an extension of their very being and a repository of their memories and ancestral teachings. The systematic nature of this forced assimilation is further evidenced by policies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 1902 “haircut order,” which stipulated that men with long hair would not receive rations, directly coercing conformity to Euro-American norms.

The ongoing efforts to revitalize traditional hair practices among contemporary Native American communities represent a powerful act of decolonization and cultural reclamation. This movement is not simply about aesthetics; it is about restoring a holistic understanding of well-being that connects physical appearance to spiritual health, community belonging, and historical lineage. The choice to wear long hair, to braid it in traditional ways, or to use ancestral plant-based remedies is a conscious assertion of cultural sovereignty and a rejection of the internalized colonial gaze.

The Resilience of Hair ❉ A Case Study in Cultural Continuity

A compelling case study illustrating the enduring connection between Native American identity and hair heritage can be found in the ongoing efforts to repatriate ancestral hair clippings from institutions like the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University. In 2024, the Choctaw Nation successfully worked with the Peabody Museum for the respectful return of hair clippings collected from three Choctaw students at the Chilocco Indian Agricultural Boarding School in the early 1930s. These clippings, taken without consent and donated to the museum, represent a tangible piece of a traumatic history, yet their return signifies a powerful act of healing and cultural restoration for the descendant families.

This specific example illuminates several critical aspects of Native American identity and its connection to textured hair heritage ❉

1. Sacredness of Hair ❉ The very act of seeking repatriation for hair clippings, even decades after their collection, underscores the profound sacredness of hair within Choctaw culture and many other Indigenous traditions. It is not viewed as mere biological waste but as a part of the individual, imbued with their spirit and memories.
2. Forced Assimilation Trauma ❉ The context of these clippings being taken from children in boarding schools highlights the traumatic legacy of forced assimilation policies, where the cutting of hair was a primary tool of cultural erasure. The return of these clippings acknowledges the historical injustice and provides an opportunity for intergenerational healing.
3. Cultural Continuity and Reclamation ❉ The repatriation efforts signify a contemporary commitment to cultural continuity. By bringing these ancestral remnants home, the Choctaw Nation and the descendant families are actively reclaiming their heritage, asserting their right to care for their ancestors in culturally appropriate ways, and reinforcing the unbroken lineage of their identity. This action speaks to the resilience of Indigenous peoples in maintaining their traditions despite immense historical disruption.
4. Intersectional Heritage ❉ While the Choctaw example primarily speaks to Native American experiences, the underlying principles of cultural continuity and the sacredness of hair resonate deeply with Black and mixed-race hair experiences. The historical struggles against Eurocentric beauty standards, the policing of hair, and the reclamation of natural textures are shared narratives that connect these diverse heritage journeys, underscoring the universal human need for self-expression and cultural affirmation through hair.

The scientific understanding of hair, including its genetic predispositions and structural properties, provides a complementary lens to these cultural insights. While science can explain the physical attributes of hair, it is the ancestral wisdom and cultural narratives that provide its deepest meaning. For instance, the use of plants like yucca root, bearberry, or wild mint in traditional hair care, now understood through ethnobotanical studies, demonstrates an intricate, empirically derived knowledge of natural compounds that benefit hair health. These practices, passed down orally and through lived experience, often aligned with principles that modern science now validates, showcasing the sophistication of Indigenous ecological understanding.

The ongoing struggles for hair freedom, whether in school systems or military contexts, where Indigenous individuals fight for the right to wear their hair in traditional long styles or braids, further underscore the profound connection between hair, identity, and sovereignty. (Rickert, 2023) These contemporary challenges serve as reminders that the Native American Identity, particularly as expressed through hair, remains a contested space, yet one consistently affirmed through acts of cultural persistence and profound self-respect.

Reflection on the Heritage of Native American Identity

The journey through the intricate layers of Native American Identity, particularly through the lens of textured hair heritage, leaves us with a resonant appreciation for the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples. It is a story not merely of survival, but of vibrant continuity, where the strands of hair become living archives of ancestral wisdom, communal strength, and unwavering self-definition. The “Soul of a Strand” ethos, for Roothea, finds a profound echo in this understanding, recognizing that each curl, coil, and wave carries not just biological information, but generations of cultural memory and resilient spirit.

From the elemental biology that shaped hair textures over millennia, through the tender, communal practices of care that nurtured both hair and spirit, to the unbound expression of identity that shapes futures, the Native American experience with hair is a powerful testament. It calls upon us to listen to the whispers of sweetgrass and the stories held within a braid, to honor the deep respect for the land that provided sustenance for hair and life, and to recognize the profound connection between outward appearance and inner truth. This understanding encourages a deeper reverence for all textured hair, acknowledging its inherent beauty as a reflection of diverse human heritage and an enduring source of personal and collective strength.

References

• Chandler, M. J. Lalonde, C. E. & Hallett, D. (2003). Cultural continuity as a moderator of suicide risk among First Nations youth. Health Canada .
• Fu, Y. et al. (2013). The adaptive variant EDARV370A is associated with straight hair in East Asians. Human Genetics, 132 (8), 919-929.
• Moses, L. G. (2018). Wild West Shows and the Images of American Indians, 1883-1933. University of New Mexico Press.
• Rickert, L. (2023). Why Lakota and Other Native Americans Consider Hair Sacred. Native News Online .
• Snowshoe, A. Crooks, C. V. Tremblay, L. Craig, W. M. & Hinson, A. (2014). Cultural connectedness as a determinant of First Nations youth mental health ❉ A metasynthesis of qualitative research in Canada and the United States. Transcultural Psychiatry, 51 (2), 248-276.
• Sister Sky. (2019). The Significance Of Hair In Native American Culture. Sister Sky Blog .
• Sister Sky. (2023). America’s Native American Boarding Schools ❉ Hair Cutting. Sister Sky Blog .
• The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. (2024). The Length of Our Story ❉ History of Long Hair in Choctaw Culture. Biskinik .