I went to an all white school where I dealt with racism.

Where I come from, there were traditions with my race and whenever you faced a curve in life, there was always a tradition.

On the film sets of 'New Moon' and 'Eclipse,' I feel safe. It's like you're in the center of the hurricane, but outside is where it starts to get chaotic.

There was a point - when I was a kid - where I said I wanted to be like Luke Skywalker, with blond hair and blue eyes. My mom right there told me to never be ashamed of who I am.

I remember hearing stories from my mother and father about their parents and grandparents when they were taken off the reservation, taken to the boarding schools, and pretty much taught to be ashamed of who they were as Native Americans. You can feel that impact today.

I'm Lakota Sioux.