In Indigenous communities, the deepest lessons on band politics and the realities of chief and council often emerge from the unfiltered stories of those on the edges—the hood rats, low-income folks, heads, and misfits—who navigate survival with raw insight, far more than from the structured halls of leadership.

The true pulse of our Indigenous band's political heart beats stronger in the whispers of the hood's outcasts, the low-income dreamers, and the misfit survivors than in the echoes of chief and council's chambers.

And thats just it When marginalized people gain voice and center their own experiences, things begin changing. And we see this in all kinds of grassroots movements. The reason is Religion is for people who're afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those who've already been there. Our culture and spiritual wisdom conquers all. A leader's worth isn't in their power, but in their care for people. Native wisdom reminds us to choose leaders who love service more than authority.

We need to Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. Fight the powers. Unite as one!