I am a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, a tribe that was once native to northern Indiana and southern Michigan. My ancestors were considered plains American Indians. I've gotten my fair share of odd questions from people who know nothing about Native Americans or their culture. It gets frustrating trying to tell someone that you're Native when they keep insisting that Native Americans no longer exist. So I'm here to teach everyone some new concepts. These are 17 things that you might have never heard about Native Americans!

1. We still exist.

Big shocker! Contrary to what some people believe, no, Native Americans have not died out. And our culture isn't dead either.

2. No, you don't have to be full-blooded to be considered a "real Native American."

This is an unrealistic expectation. There are very, very few full-blooded Native Americans around today.

3. Jingle dancing is harder than it looks.

If you don't have calf muscles when you start dancing, you will before you're done. This style of dancing takes such a toll on your legs because the foot movements require light steps. I have to wrap my feet and ankles with bandage tape in order to avoid blisters.

If you're not sure what jingle dancing is, check out this quick video!

4. We don't wear "costumes."

Costumes are what you wear when you're dressing up as something you're NOT.

5. The Catholic boarding schools were horrific.

The students, who had been stolen from their homes, were beaten for speaking their native languages, forced to wear American clothing, their hair was cut, and they were given English names. Often, students were verbally and sexually abused. Native American languages and cultures almost died out because of these boarding schools.

6. Not all of us live on reservations.

The closest rez to where I live is about 3 hours away. Because I don't live on a rez, I have to make a greater effort to immerse myself in my culture!

7. We love Indian frybread.

Indian frybread is the reason I'm no longer a size XXS. I could live off of this fried dough. It's basically a homemade donut!

8. The same tribe may live in several areas of the country due to the forced removals.

When Americans decided they needed more land to take over, they began forcing Natives from their lands. My tribe was relocated to Kansas. Our reservation has now been moved to Oklahoma. Some Potawatomis chose to evade their captors and stay in Indiana, but because of this, their descendants do not belong to a federally recognized tribe.

9. We don't want to be told that we don't look Native enough.

If I hear this one more time... I am Native. I don't care if you think I don't look Native. There's no specific way that Natives are supposed to look.

10. Most of us worship God.

Not everyone worships rocks and animals, although we are extremely respectful of everything that God made. I don't worship the creation; I worship the Creator.

11. It's rude to ask, "What percent Indian are you?"

I don't ask, "What percent white are you?" do I? No. Don't ask me what percent Native I am.

12. Not everyone wears that stereotypical headdress.

Yes, some people wear them, but they're not the only thing that people wear on their heads. Some tribes don't wear them at all. And women do not wear them.

13. The "slutty Indian princess" costumes you see around Halloween are completely inappropriate.

Traditional Native American women are usually very modest. There are even rules at traditional powwows for how to dress.

14. Eagle feathers are given for honor.

When someone receives an eagle feather, it is for a very special reason. I received mine for my first time in a sweat lodge and the bravery I displayed at such a young age.

15. The term "redskin" is NOT a compliment.

That's right, Washington Redskins. I'm looking at you. That's racist. It's just as derogatory as any other nickname for a race of people.

16. Natives weren't allowed to vote until around 94 years ago.

Thanks to the Snyder Act of 1924, Native Americans were finally allowed to vote! But...wait... That's 5 years after white women were given the right to vote...

17. Most Natives weren't granted citizenship until 70 years ago.

So even once Natives were allowed to vote, they still weren't considered citizens. Some received citizenship under the Act of 1924, but the rest were allowed citizenship in 1948.

18. Natives have only been allowed to practice their religion for about 40 years now.

Our religious practices were outlawed until 1978.

So the next time someone tells you they're Native American, do NOT say, "Hey, redskin! Can I borrow your headdress for this Halloween party I'm going to? It'll go great with my costume."