By Santee Ross, University of Montana

Growing up I listened to stories like the three little pigs and little red riding hood with a conflicted perspective.

As a young girl I loved those fairy tales but as a little Indian girl I knew the wolf was being portrayed unfairly. I was taught wolves are a sacred animal from the time I had grass stains and ashy knees.

But according to white ranchers the wolf is a bloodthirsty animal and they all need to be wiped out. It’s ironic that those out for the blood of wolves are calling the wolf bloodthirsty.

By Stacy Thacker, University of Montana

The second episode of Navajo Cops on National Geographic had me on the edge of my seat, and more than a little homesick.

The episode started in Window Rock, Ariz. with a foot pursuit as a cop runs through a small pond of brown water (Oh, muddy water how I miss you). He followed the suspect to a house and removed a window screen only to find the guy, who claimed to have beaten a man in self-defense.

By Santee Ross, University of Montana

Remember when you were a little terror running around? You knew who you were and there was no such thing as an identity crisis. You were native because you just were. Things were so much simpler at that age.

Blood quantum never even crossed your mind. Not just because you didn’t know the definition but being a 1/16 or 1/ 8 of some other tribe didn’t change the fact that you still considered yourself native.

By Santee Ross, University of Montana

By Santee Ross, University of Montana

Being an adolescent girl is hard enough without being publicly humiliated by the school that you attend.

By Stacy Thacker, University of Montana

The Navajo Nation is looking into becoming part of a grid connection project that would allow solar energy and other forms of electricity to come to the Navajo Nation.

By Santee Ross, University of Montana

Now more then ever do I wish I had an iPhone.

Not just because of the awesomely-geeky gadgets Apple makes but because there is a new application for the iPhone that teaches the Lakota language.

By Santee Ross, University of Montana

Being an adolescent girl is hard enough without being publicly humiliated by the school that you attend.

By Stacy Thacker, Universtiy of Montana

National Geographic has decided to air six episodes of Navajo Cops, a hour long TV show that follows Navajo officers as they fight crime on the Navajo reservation. The March 12 premiere had me excited and home sick at the same time.

By Santee Ross, University of Montana

March is indeed madness when it comes to Indian country. Cars become jam packed with Natives who travel with the high school basketball teams like an unofficial cheerleaders.

Everyone, parents, cousins and elders, scrounge up gas money to cheer on the native youth in the most iconic Native community sport. Heck, even the rez dogs travel to watch from the bleachers.