Amanda Russell is a Mohegan cultural advocate and currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University. On numerous occasions, Amanda has been appointed as Head Lady Dancer for the annual Mohegan Wigwam Festival.  She began teaching tribal dance classes in her late teens and still continues teaching in hopes of giving strength and support to youths struggling with their Native American identity.  When Amanda is not Fancy Shawl dancing or teaching, she’s writing.  Amanda wrote the poem below to honor the source of her inspiration and motivation to never stop writing: Aunt Gina’s graceful dancing and Uncle Tommy’s iron worker spirit.