What do you think of when I say the word, “tribe”? Perhaps it means something like family or protection or social involvement or love and support (or all of the above)?

But what about those who don’t have their very own cheering section? Is there a sense of never quite belonging?

My guest today, Monica Brooks was adopted as a baby, but was abused and discarded. She never quite felt like she had her own “tribe”. And furthermore, she didn’t even know she was Native American until someone made her aware.

This feeling of wanting to belong to a loving family left a hole in Monica’s spirit. Her eventual connection to the Choctaw tribe was the beginning of her journey to healing.

And later, a terminal illness inspired her to give her kids and grandkids the gift of a sense of belonging as well, to introduce them to the tribe that will be there long after she’s gone.

Monica’s daughter, Samantha also joins us to talk about another perspective - the trauma that can be passed down in situations like these.

Today you’ll hear about: • The mystery of the months unaccounted for in the first few months of her life • How the game of hide-and-seek would prove or disprove that she was loved • How her intuition was guiding her to the truth as her story unfolded • The random way she went about finding her birth family • How Monica found inspiration from her ancestors who survived the Trial of Tears

Yakoke, Monica for sharing your story and for inspiring others!

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