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Date Posted: 18:47:13 11/09/05 Wed
Author: Lori
Subject: Re: Confused
In reply to: Kevin 's message, "Confused" on 12:43:29 06/23/05 Thu

Osiyo Kevin,
I too am of N.A. descent, although I have no "paper trail". I've Cherokee on one side & Blackfoot on the other. In particular I would like to mention my Grandmother who was half Cherokee & half Russian. Her parents died when she was young & she was raised in an orphanage. The nuns there always told her about & acknowedged her Cherokee blood, but she was told that when she left she should just say she is white (Russian/Polish). This was back in the late 1920's to early 1930's. There was alot of prejudice then (although sometimes I'm not sure so much has changed), I do believe they were trying to protect her, as her mother was murdered because of her race.
At first I wanted to get membership within the tribe, but soon realized that I had no "proof" - other then my grandmother herself. Overtime I've run into alot of prejudice that seems to be within our Indian society also. Some people do not want to except you unless you have a card. Then there are Native Americans, some fullblood, who have cards but want nothing to do with their culture. It's easy to get caught up in this mindframe. But remember, it was the government who put us on the reservations, & our people knew who they were long before they were handed a card with a number. Now, I see things clear again. Although tribal membership can have it's benefits (especially when it comes to being involved in certain activities), I don't have to prove myself to anyone. As long as I honor my ancestors by remembering them & not being ashamed of the blood that runs through my veins - be it N.American, German, Russian, etc. That's what's important. You have to know where you come from before you can know where your going :).
Lori


>I am in need of thoughts and opinions. I have heard
>many Native peoples scoff at those that claim to be of
>Native decent but can't prove it. I am one of these
>people. My great-grandmother claimed to be 1/4
>Cherokee but because making this claim publicly back
>then wasn't the thing to do she never registered with
>the Nation. Is it wrong for me to be proud of my
>heritage? I'm more proud of that heritage then my
>"white" heritage. Thoughts and comments welcome!!
>Wado my friends.
>
>Kevin Patrick

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