by Sahkana Merutepiaou

Modern societies have developed formal identification systems to organize populations, administer governance, and regulate access to rights and resources.  These systems—such as birth certificates, national identity cards, passports, and digital databases—are standardized, state-controlled, and designed to identify individuals within a large population.  However, the foundation of an indigenous society is rooted in cultural traditions, communal relationships and lineage. Understanding our true identity is what gives a human being purpose and function within a society.