If you look into a person’s wallet, you are likely to find several types of identification – a driver’s license, a school ID, even a badge necessary for the person’s job.

If you look into sophomore Michael Merritt’s wallet, however, you will find a rather unusual form of identification – a membership card to the Piqua Shawnee Native
American tribe.

Merritt has identified as Native American since he was 10 years old, when a man named Frank Cook adopted him and a few family members into the Sicangulakota tribe.

Since then, his life has been framed by Native American customs and culture. In the summer, while most people are lounging around the pool or watching Netflix, Merritt is taking part in Green Corn, one of three important Shawnee ceremonies.

“It’s pretty much like a family reunion at first,” Merritt says, describing the two-day ceremony. “There’s a lot of storytelling. It’s for everybody just to get together, laugh, and pretty much have a good time.”

There are numerous ceremonial activities Merritt and his tribe take part in at events like Green Corn, but he was unable to gain permission to go into detail on the activities.

“The tribes keep their ceremonies secret as a precaution to preserve their history, as their lifestyles are extremely precious to them,” Merritt says. “Being Native is everything. You are a part of everything. You were made from everything here. It’s very honorable.”

Because of this honorable heritage, Merritt’s lifestyle differs immensely from the average person.

The Native Americans’ day-to-day lives are centered around prayer to Mother Earth.

“Prayer is one of the main things we do,” Merritt explains. “We’re in constant
connection with Mother Earth.”

Merritt and his family pray at sunrise and sunset every day to maintain this
connection.

“It’s important to stay connected with everything in the universe to keep peace amongst everything,” he says.

Merritt’s heritage also changes his outlook on the world.

“Respect is different for us,” he explains. “We are a part of this earth, so when there’s trash lying on the ground, that affects us because we treat Mother Earth as a living being.”

Michael Merritt’s life is forever changed by the simple carrying of his membership card because it is not just the card he is carrying.

He is also carrying a great pride in his heritage and an immense respect for the world around him.