Native traditions remind us that strength is measured by character, responsibility, and service to others.
Before social media, before influencers and algorithms started shaping how young men see themselves, a lot of identity came from the people around you. You learned by watching your family, your community, and the men who raised you.
For me, being a young Native man has always felt tied to responsibility more than image. To me, as someone who was raised around mostly women, manhood was not about dominance, money, or proving you are tougher than everyone else. It was about how you carry yourself, how you treat people, whether your family can rely on you, and whether your community is better because you are part of it.
Today, it feels like young men are constantly being told who they are supposed to be.
Social media pushes this idea that being a man means never showing weakness, always having money, always winning, always looking successful, or always being in control. A lot of influencers sell this image of masculinity that feels loud and performative. Everything becomes about status, followers, appearance, or power over others. Young men see that every day, and eventually it becomes hard to separate confidence from arrogance or strength from anger.
I think a lot of young men, Native and non-Native, are struggling to find purpose because they are searching for identity online instead of in real relationships and community. Social media can make people feel connected while also making them feel isolated at the same time. You compare yourself to people you do not even know, and suddenly you feel like you are behind in life or not “man enough.” For Native men especially, there is another layer because many of us are trying to balance modern life with cultural identity, family expectations, and the responsibility of carrying traditions forward.
Traditional teachings about manhood feel very different from what social media promotes.
In many Native communities, leadership is quiet. Respect is earned through actions, not attention. Men are supposed to protect, provide, teach, and serve their people. Strength is not about intimidating others; it is about staying grounded when life gets difficult. It is about showing up for your family even when you are tired, helping younger people, respecting women, respecting elders, and understanding that you are part of something bigger than yourself.
I think sometimes men today are losing their place within family and community life because society no longer clearly teaches what healthy masculinity looks like. Some people act like masculinity itself is the problem, while others push extreme ideas about what men should be. A lot of young men end up caught between those two messages without guidance. That confusion can turn into anger, isolation, or feeling lost. But healthy masculinity still matters.
Communities need good men just like they need good women.
Families need fathers, brothers, uncles, mentors, and protectors who are emotionally present and dependable.
My identity as a Native man gives me a sense of responsibility more than anything else. It reminds me that my actions reflect not only on myself but on my family and community too. Even when I do not always have everything figured out, I know the kind of person I want to become because of the values I was raised around. I want to be someone who helps people feel safe, respected, and supported. I want to lead through consistency and character rather than attention or status.
I think many young Native men are trying to rediscover that balance right now. Our teachings remind us that being a man is not about status or attention—it is about accountability, humility, service, and showing up for others. Those qualities may not always get attention online, but they are the qualities that have helped Native communities endure for generations. They are also the qualities that build strong leaders, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation to take responsibility for something bigger than themselves. That is the kind of leadership our communities need, and the kind of future Western Native Voice is working to help create.