2023
The 3 C's
Common Cultural Characteristics
Native America's Protectors, LLC
Welcome
Cultural Consulting
Mr. Colston is Tuscarora and enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. His clan is Turtle. He serves as a cultural consultant for Native Americans/American Indians. Mr. Colston initiates and supports a wide range of activities that promote the welfare of Indian people and furthers the understanding of American Indian history and culture. Mr. Colston provides a forum for information, concerns and positive strategies for American Indian communities and serves as a vital liaison to state and federal agencies on topics of diversity, health and cultural competency. Mr. Colston supervises programs and serves as a visual performance artist. Unity is vital to tribal people. For this reason, he and his company (NAP) has partnered with such groups as Red Crooked Sky, Native Pride and Red Blanket. He also advises Indian community leaders based on his years of experience in Indian Affairs. When not performing, Mr. Colston serves as master of ceremonies for native gatherings all over Turtle Island (North America).
Visual Performances
Visual Performance:
The visual performance that NAP provides is highly entertaining and educational. The vibrant colors
along with the energetic movements causes the audience to watch with anticipation. Words and actions held in balance to not only teach, yet to amaze the young and adults. Through each presentation, stereotypes are dispelled and common characteristics are felt during audience participation and viewing. Mindset of unity vs division.
Lectures and Speaker Series
SELECTED RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
● Missing and Murdered Native Americans and Alaska Natives Awareness Day & Red Shawl Honoring for the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, Operation Lady Justice. May 5, 2021, Washington, D.C.
● United States Geological Survey, Office of Tribal Relations, November 18, 2020, Virtual.
● U.S. Agency for Global Media, Office of Civil Rights National American Indian Heritage Month Celebration, November 18, 2019–2019, Washington, DC.
● Keynote, Aberdeen Proving Ground Military Installation, CCDC National American Indian Heritage Observance. November 26, 2019, Aberdeen, Maryland.
● Nanticoke Tribe Historical Land Marker Presentation. October 14, 2019, Georgetown, Delaware.
● Indigenous People’s Day, University of Maryland. October 17, 2017, Baltimore, Maryland.
● Federal Bureau of Prisons, Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. November 2, 2017, Annapolis Junction, Maryland.
● Inter-tribal Youth Climate Leadership Congress, National Conservation Training Center. July 5, 2016, Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
● Keynote, 41st Annual North Carolina Indian Unity Conference, United Tribes of North Carolina. March 11, 2016, Raleigh, North Carolina.
● Master of Ceremonies, Commemorating 40 Years of Powwow. (List of past speaking engagements available upon request).
Native America’s Protectors, LLC is a group of Native American consultants organized to represent the culture of our people in a positive and productive manner. Through cultural workshops and visual presentations, we allow the non-native to gain a better understanding of what culture means to us as a people. Native America’s Protectors, LLC partners with Native American organizations and non-native entities to promote cultural as well as educational events.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES POW WOW ENGAGEMENTS
American Indian Society – Inaugural Pow wow - Washington, DC
Alabama-Coushatta Pow wow – Livingston, TX
Great American Indian Expo – Richmond, VA
Baltimore American Indian Center Annual Pow wow, - Baltimore, MD
Haliwa-Saponi Annual Pow wow - Hollister, NC
Shinnecock Pow wow – Long Island, NY
Chickahominy Annual Pow wow – Providence Forge, VA
Nanticoke Indian Powwow - Millsboro, DE
Running Water Singers Pow wow – Fayetteville, NC
Coharie Annual Pow wow – Clinton, NC
Occaneechi Annual Pow wow – Mebane, NC
Del Grosso Park Pow wow – Tipton, NC
Meherrin Annual Pow wow – Ahoskie, NC
Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Annual Pow wow – Southampton, VA
Howard County Fairgrounds Annual Pow wow – West Friendship, MD
Lumbee Fall Annual Fall Pow wow – Pembroke, NC
Frederick Annual Pow wow – Frederick, MD
Rocky Mount Pow wow – Rocky Mount, NC
Fredericksburg Annual Pow wow – Fredericksburg, MD
Duke University Annual Pow wow
University of NC at Chapel Hill Annual Pow wow
NC State University Annual Pow wow
University of NC at Pembroke Annual Pow wow
University of Maryland College Park Annual Pow wow
Georgetown University Annual Pow wow
Mary Washington College Annual Pow wow
The visual performance that Mr. Colston provides is designed to showcase what ethnicities have in common versus what separates us. Diversity should not divide us, yet to realize the three C's (Cultural Common Characteristics) we share. Mr. Colston lectures on the American Indian Tribes/Indigenous communities that are indigenous to Maryland, historical facts and contemporary events . The lecture will also involve topics on various traditions and customs of American Indians in North America. There are various dances that Mr. Colston will share with the audience during the program. The Crow Hop, Snake Dance, Men’s Fancy, Men’s Traditional and the Round Dance are just some of the dance styles that are part of our “gatherings” and “pow-wows” (during solo presentations). Group presentations not only allow for male dances, also female dance demonstrations such as women's traditional, women's jingle and women's fancy shawl. The dances are explained in detail and audience participation is welcomed. Explanation of the music/songs, how it connects to the dance and as a whole to the culture is provided. Statistical and census data is provided in reference to tribal people. Throughout the event, stereotypes are dispelled and discussion takes place between him and the audience.