Yes, I’m proud to be indigenous. I’m half-Quechua-Huachipaeri from Peru.

I used to have all these plans and think “Ah, I have my whole life figured out”, but then I realized no matter how much I plan: life happens! So I find myself living day to day trying to do my best, embracing every moment as a learning opportunity and chance to get to know myself a little more.

I think it's important for us as a society to remember that the youth within juvenile justice systems are, most of the time, youths who simply haven't had the right mentors and supporters around them - because of circumstances beyond their control.

Portraying Pocahontas' story well was important to me because she was a real person and these were real events in her life.

If Pocahontas had been given the foresight to see what devastating consequences her actions and belief in the possibility of peace would have brought upon her people, I wonder if she would have avoided befriending the English or not.

The things I do, I do from the heart and out of love and respect for our planet and all living things. And I draw my courage from my love for justice and truth, and I calm my fears by comforting those who are more scared than me. And I try to do my best to make the world a better place, one small action at a time, as good as I can.

Yes, I’m proud to be indigenous. I’m half-Quechua-Huachipaeri from Peru.