I'm a European who was living and working on a Native American reservation in the US. Early in the pandemic, I flew home to attend my grandma's funeral, and then couldn't get back due to the travel ban. The way of life on the rez revolves around kinship, and many of the people I've left behind are my relatives. Sadly these adoptive relationships mean nothing in the world of US visas, just as they struggle to recognize the romantic relationships many of you are in. 18 months apart from them has been tough. COVID has been merciless to the tribe, and taken the lives of many of the Elders, guardians of their traditional language, culture, and stories. So many friends and relatives are in mourning; I wish I could be there for them but at a distance I feel helpless. I look forward to end of the ban, and being able to see them again.
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