A Sac and Fox native woman has launched a business to increase the visibility of all Native Americans. Collaborating with allies and multicultural organizations, three women continue to advocate for Indigenous awareness, honoring the sacrifices their ancestors have made.

Angelina Hilton says growing up in a society that often forgot her community existed presented several challenges.

“We're not portrayed past the 1900s,” Hilton said. “And so when we talk about Indigenous people in this space or Indigenous businesses, you know, we were not spoken of in the present tense. We're talked about as if we're part of the past.”

Hilton found it difficult to embrace her heritage.

“In school, I was teased and I'm half-Italian, so I decided to lean more towards my Italian heritage,” Hilton said. “I grew up away from my people. I grew up away from my grandma and we just didn't really talk much about it.”

Visiting her relatives on the reservation twice a year, Hilton felt connected to her family but disconnected to the culture. It wasn't until the loss of her grandma and older brother changed her path in life.

“That led me down this path of, OK, what am I supposed to do now with what I have learned and the stories?” Hilton said. “And how do I keep passing this stuff down? And so it made me realize that I needed to change my focus from dominant culture to native culture.”

Sharing not only the stories from her family, but creating visibility for all Indigenous communities, Hilton launched the business “Native Made,” focusing on building bridges between cultures.

“Seventy-eight percent of Americans don't know anything about Indigenous people,” Hilton said. “You know, 0.4% of Indigenous people are represented in the media. And the majority of college students coming into college, only know of Indigenous people pre-1900s.”

Understanding the lack of education and awareness of their culture, Hilton is working with the Indigenous People's Day Committee to collaborate with allies in recognizing their existence.

“Our invisibility has existed for far too long,” co-chair of Indigenous Peoples Day Committee Ronalyn Pollack said. “We knew that receiving the legislative resolution would allow us to have that permanent installation of Indigenous Peoples Day. So since 2018, our committee has gotten busy and gotten to work.”