Happy Native American Heritage Month.

Today is November 1st, 2018, the first day of Native American Heritage Month. In a personal celebration of the month that I wish to share with the readers of ICT, here are a selection of photographs I have taken over the years.

As a Native journalist that first started with ICT as a freelance correspondent that worked diligently to become the associate editor, I have a flood of emotions and memories that come to me as a result of these photos that celebrate the pride, beauty and achievements of people in Indian Country.

I hope you enjoy them.

Note, I did not take the photos I am in, obviously, but thank you to those individuals that I handed the camera to, gave a quick tutorial on how to do it, and pressed the shutter, I am grateful you captured a moment.

Above: The Center For Native American Youth inaugural Champions for Change in 2013 included Joaquin Gallagos, Vance Home Gun, Dahkota Brown, Sarah Schilling and Cierra Fields. They are amazing young people, each and every one of them. Photo: Vincent Schilling.

Above: A moment with a Native chairman at the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia Pow wow, I love this image. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: 400th celebration of Hampton city pow wow. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Young warrior. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Getting ready for the pow wow. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Smiles and regalia, a perfect combination at any pow wow. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: My good buddy Robert Narcomey, he make look serious, but when we are together, all we do is laugh. At the Nansemond pow wow. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: This baby was crying moments before, then became calm and mesmerized by the flute. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Moments after competing, these two male dancers shared a warm greeting. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Joy and a real smile at a pow wow after dancing and getting candy. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: A moment in thought on a sunny day. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: A moment, a smile, during a pow wow dance. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: This young Native warrior means business. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Beautiful colors during a fancy shawl dance. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: It was fantastic to meet Champions for Change in Washington D.C. and some of the family. Courtesy Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Doesn't everyone get to take a #HawkSelfie? Courtesy Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Interviewing the legend himself, Billy Mills. Courtesy Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: The Cowboy and Indian Alliance in Washington D.C. arrives en-force to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Cherokee musician Michael Bucher. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Nedra Darling from the DOI and Mark Trahant, ICT editor, at the Native American Journalists Association conference in D.C. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: I was given a personal invite to the Vice President's house a few years ago to cover a story of Native artwork that would be placed into the Vice-Presidential home. Here are the Native artists with the former Vice-President. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Iroquois leaders at the 222nd annual Canandaigua Treaty in D.C. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Clan mothers, Iroquois leaders, political leaders at the 222nd annual Canandaigua Treaty in D.C. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: At a river clean-up day in Virginia. Courtesy Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: The Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia collected tires, garbage, and even a toilet at the Jamestown River clean-up day. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: A moment interviewing former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. Courtesy Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Two Golden Eagle Hotshots a firefighting crew. This image sits on the cover of one of my books from the Native Trailblazer series. www.NativeVoicesBooks.com Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Members of the Golden Eagle Hotshots firefighting crew. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: This little one wasn't feeling the pow wow one moment longer. It was nap time. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Gorgeous regalia at the D.C. AIS Inaugural Ball in 2009. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: A fun moment at the D.C. AIS Inaugural Ball in 2009. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: A warrior represents at the D.C. AIS Inaugural Ball in 2009. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: Native Veterans in 2009. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Above: A moment honoring Native veterans at the Arlington National Cemetery. Photo: Vincent Schilling

Follow Indian Country Today’s associate editor Vincent Schilling (Akwesasne Mohawk) on Twitter -@VinceSchilling

Email -vschilling@indiancountrytoday.com

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