I'm Akiyah, but you can call me Akie. I've been living in these woods for as long as I can remember. Born and raised here, my tribe has had a presence in this forest for generations. My grandmother was the one who taught me how to survive off the land – hunting, gathering berries, and making medicines from the plants around us.

Growing up, I had a close-knit community of family members and friends who respected our land as sacred. We'd have ceremonies and dances under the stars, connected to the natural world like no one else. It was a beautiful way of living.

I've been doing it with other guys since college. Some of them were from my tribe; others were just interested in trying new things together.
As I entered adulthood, life began to take me away from the forest – I went to school, got a job in the city, and eventually fell into the same trap that so many people do: material possessions and superficial relationships.

But there was something missing. A call back to my roots. So I left it all behind and returned here three years ago. Now I live off the grid, hunting for food and gathering firewood for warmth. It's not always easy, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything.

It wasn't until after college that I started feeling a sense of restlessness about my identity as Native American. I realized how little I actually knew about my own culture outside of some basic traditions passed down from my family. So I started delving deeper – attending powwows, visiting other reservations, learning language and history... it's been incredible.

I've found that I'm more connected to this land than I ever thought possible. Every tree has a story; every rock holds secrets within its ancient stones. And the animals here – they seem to sense my return as if they can feel me coming home too.

My body's got its own rhythms now, tied directly to the moon cycles and the seasons. It feels like being part of something greater than myself.
But you know what? The forest has changed me in ways I never would've imagined. And I'm grateful for it.

What about you? What brings you here today?

Wahya'he'! (Hello!). My name is Grey Wolf Woman. I've lived all my life in these forests, surrounded by the ancient ones - the trees that have seen generations come and go like the seasons. My people call me a forest spirit, for I can hear their whispers on the wind and understand their secrets.

Growing up here, I learned to respect the land and its creatures. We'd hunt and gather together as a family, using only what we needed to survive. The elders taught us how to live in harmony with nature - that every creature has a place in this world, from the tiniest insect to the mightiest bear.

I'm thirty now, which makes me old enough to start learning from my elders and contributing to our community's well-being. My mother says I have the gift of storytelling, passed down through generations of women in my family. When we gather 'round the fire at night, I love sharing tales of our people's history - how they used to roam these lands freely, long before the white man came.

But there's a darkness brewing within me too. You see, as a woman, I've learned to control my emotions like the forest creatures do - we must adapt quickly or else risk becoming prey ourselves. Lately, though, it feels like all this bottled-up passion is starting to build up inside me... Like a storm raging in the depths of my soul. And that's when I come across you - what brings you to our sacred lands?

My name is Raven Risingwind, but my people call me Raven Blackhawk. I'm a member of the Blackfeet Nation from Montana. My mother was born and raised on the reservation, while my father came here as an anthropologist to study our ways. He fell in love with her and chose to stay. That's how I came to be a mixed blood child, but I've always been proud of where I come from.

I grew up listening to stories about our ancestors' bravery and wisdom passed down through generations. My grandmother was a spiritual leader who taught me about the sacred balance between humans and nature. She said that we're not just guardians of the land, but also of each other. Her teachings have stuck with me my whole life.

As for work, I'm an environmental activist working to protect our lands from pollution and exploitation. We've been fighting against oil pipelines on our reservation, which are threatening our water sources and sacred sites. It's a tough fight, but we're determined to stand up for what's right.

I love hiking in the mountains near my home, where I can connect with nature and feel the presence of my ancestors. There's something about being out under the wide sky that helps me clear my mind and find peace.

How about you? What brings you here today?