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This may be a HOT topic, folks. But do any of you get flack about seeking to learn about or going full-tilt into your NA heritage? I haven’t, until recently.
In both incidents, it was like the person was expecting me to become an “Instant Indian.” I do have a little NA ancestry, but don’t know enough about my Cherokee and Blackfoot/Saponi to “instantly” be one on demand. I understand people identifying and totally respect that, but I am uncomfortable about suddenly taking on something I know next to nothing about, just to prove I am NA. I just know that both of my parents claimed NA heritage as well as both my grandmothers.
Also, I was surprised at the amount of prejudice from one person whom I thought was family. “If you were (a certain ethnic group), would you want to learn about that heritage?” And I said it was possible, and he shut up. I am quite “Mixed.” 😀 I can understand if not agree with the prejudice, and I can understand when people going overboard and demanding that others play Indian, Jewish, Hillbilly – whatever culture, and getting mad if I don’t play along with them (I don’t like that side of that coin, either). But I don’t understand them not wanting me to learn about that part of my heritage.
I think it hurt more because those two people went down a few notches in my estimation of them when they were like that. I know you are supposed to forgive, but I have a hard time forgetting.
Anita B. aka “Sparrow”
Anita, what you experienced is multiplied thousands of times over every day and is expressed or shows itself from all kinds of hangups people have. I will be 64 this month, the Lord willing and have been in this search for most of that time. You just have to consider the source whether ignorance or prejudice or both and keep on keeping on.
I am convinced at this point there have been family members out there that probably knew information or even had physical information who kept it to themselves even to their death. A family reunion last month revealed information that would have been absalute confirmation plus an entire written record for us but was held in a trunk and kept silent because the possesor of the information couldn’t deal with and see beyond the prejudice and discrimination the family faced when they were children and early adults. That information existed until I was in my twenty’s but at their deaths no one seems to account for it any longer. Again it is possible it passed into the hands of other family who for what ever reason chose to keep it secret. Just keep up the good work and gather all you can. Ed
Ed your always right on and I totally agree with what you said. You said it very well indeed.
I’ve been finding out that over the years those that do give out those guarded secrets and personal research end up getting burned either by someone stealing it in the form of use and none discloser of source (not giving credit where credit is due), and also people using the information for personal gain mostly excluding the researcher or family members that shared. In the old day they kept things hidden for security reasons now it’s from being defrauded out of their birthright, being left out, and research efforts.
Cousin Anita,
You are not alone in running into opposition, ridicule, and hatefulness. It seems to be a common theme in our society because most people are insecure about their own heritage and guilted into shame if they have mixed heritage or do not meet some “others” personal criteria for a pie in the sky idea of what ever they have bought into.
Just know that you are not alone and that you have many other cousins out here that will always stand up for your right to be who you are.
Love and Peace to you my cousin.
I agree with all that has been said above. I didn’t have a clue about my roots until 4 yrs. ago. When Ken and I started digging into our genealogy…it was then that the story of the Indian princess came out…well, she was actually Irish…but, it fueled me to find out where that came from since it must have had some truth to it since my grandmother told her daughters about it. And I found NA on both sides of my family. From the Page, Walker and Sorrells on my father’s side to the Wilson, Peacock, Minchew, and Moore on my mother’s side.
It was as I was discovering the truth that we had attended my first pow wow (Ken had been before) in Hillsborough. It was there that I felt so much that I knew I was on the right path. I am still working and discovering…but, it’s what is in your heart that matters most. I have family that I don’t discuss regalia or pow wows when I am around them. And then I have family that always knew….and are inquisitive, but, reserved. Just because I happen to have white skin does not mean I didn’t have red roots. But, I also celebrate the Irish side as well. Without that side, I wouldn’t be who I am…and I like me. So do what feels right to you….it has taken me 4 yrs. to come to the place I am now….and I am still discovering and learning about the NA ways and traditions.
Dear Anita,
I’ve been studying AA and NA history for years.I grew up AA and put “black” on all the government papers.Lately,I’m getting more into the Native
aspect of my ancestry.
I’ve had all kinds of responses from other black Americans.Some think it’s racial treason to acknowledge ancestries other than African.
After going to my 1st powwow (see thread on “Monacan Powwow”),one relative asked me if there were any black folk there.Quite a few NDNs there
showed some West African admixture.
I’m not challenging anyone’s right to identify or not with their Native roots;I’m only saying what I saw.
There’s more on this on the “What’s Offensive” thread and other threads
on “Black Indians” in the forum archives.
Did you grow up in the black community also,Anita?
Roca
P.S.-Anyone going to Hampton this weekend for the intertribal?I may go
if the weather holds out.(2-2 1/2 hr drive)
Hey Roca
Wish you could make it to Cheroenhaka…that’s where most of us will be this weekend. I read about Hampton….wish I could be there at that one as well, but, Courtland is closer to us. May be next year?? Have fun and give us a report next week.
Hey Anita , hang in there everyone gets flack now and then, share with those that will share with you., don’t go over board and really think things through, be conscious of how you look to others and how others look to you.
I have gone through this many times and maybe in certain ways I still am going through “it” but I am a bit thicker skinned than most.
When learning about these things keep your circle of friends small and share with those that have the same focus as you do.
I hope all is well.
Hi All,
Amen to all said. I have related before that I am always asked what my heritage is and when I’ve said, English, German (actually probably Alsatian, sort of a mixture of French and German), Irish, and Indian. The Indian will sometimes say with contempt, “ENGLISH!!??, they are a violent people.” I can see their point on that.
And, whites more often than not will say something very negative about Indians that I can’t see and don’t agree with. I believe being mixed I hear more of these insults to my face than full-blooded Indians do. They somehow think it’s okay to say it to me. It makes me angry. Here it is the Euro-Americans, the dominant culture who are the most hateful toward the mixed blood. That is why I attempt to contribute to making the playing field equal for all. My goal is to be completely comfortable and confident within my own skin and work to be a peacemaker between the cultures.
It’s easy to feel isolated in this situation and that’s why I think it’s especially important to be respectful toward one another here. We all need a safe place to be. A peaceful watering-hole from which to be refreshed with an open(-minded) field near-by in which to safely play and even be silly if we choose.
Sparrow, I hear your angst and offer a feather and/or a hug.
I appreciate everyone’s comments and thank you for bringing up this topic.
In my own family, interest in ANY of our history varies from person to person. We have the “I know, but I ain’t talking”, the “don’t know, don’t care”, those who only seem interested in anybody famous, and those who scoff at the same. Then there are those who appreciate and devour any bits and pieces of our stories.
When I first started stabbing at genealogy, my mother scolded me for “digging up dead people”. I’m not sure it had the desired effect, since it peaked my curiousity. ;~) So far, I have found nothing on her side of the family interesting enough to match her reaction, but I will keep looking. My dad’s side has much more meat, but they seem to be pretty aware that it won’t bite them. At least, not now.
I suppose this is all part of being of mixed heritage. I think I was born connected to the NDN roots. I knew about it before anybody told me, despite having fair enough skin to be teased by the more obvious kids. What I didn’t know until my genealogy pursuit was that I was part Irish, Scottish, Welsh, German, etc. (Someone did very sternly tell me my surname was English, as if I drove the boat over here.) But it was a very rare topic of discussion among relatives. Thankfully, my Dad and Grandma did show signs of some pride in our Native heritage, by the way they cherished items that were handed down.
I did run into some opposition along the way & allowed my “silly Indian-ness” to fall into the shadows as a result of what I thought people thought about it. But a wise person told me something that rings true about that now (for me): “What people think of me is none of my business”.
Another one I like is “To Thine Own Self Be True”. That is my goal, although it can be challenging sometimes.
One more thing. I’ve been reading a book about Crazy Horse’s life, written by an Oglala & told from the native perspective. Gotta get offline due to a storm, but briefly will share that he, too, was teased for looking different. He seemed to turned that into a strength that I admire and can learn from.
Thank you, Beeleaf for sharing those heartfelt words of wisdom.:) I’d never heard that…
”What people think of me is none of my business”. I really like that!
Combining that with my Father’s oft repeated words when I’d question his actions or criticize another person’s actions…
“That’s none of your business, little girl. You have all you can do just to take care of yourself.”…would keep a person pretty straight and on course.
Whoops. I meant Lakota, not Oglala.
Hey Wachinika. Here’s another one I read this morning that I love:
“…have we let fear steal our joy?”
That’s from one of Joyce Sequichie Hifler’s little meditation books (the fiesta red one).
Dear , Sparrow
Believe me I know how it is and what it feel’s like to be in thaty situation . I have alot of family whom could share some info , if they wanted to . This is pictures and paper work such as documents . But they are still ashamed of the fact that they are even connected to us . When I say us I mean Native American Indian . They have hid any and all proof , and this makes it hard on every one who is trying to get the proof . But all said I know that we will prevail in our indevers . So I just say hang in there and let the spirit of our Ancesters guide you .
Your Friend/Brother In Spirit
Rick Cassidy(aka) Wind/Dancer
I never really received any “flack” (it was more indifference), for searching my Native roots, but wanted to respond to Anita’s post. “Listen to your Heart,” it will lead you…take your time…there is no hurry. The Ancestors are not going anywhere; they will be there when you are ready to lead and guide you. This may be directly or indirectly, through individual’s of their chosing. “Be open…there is so much to learn, enjoy the journey.”:)
I too found out about the NA (for sure, that is – rumors all the time growing up. I remember Grandma telling my father that her people met his in this country.) only a few years ago. My great aunt (whom I have never met) wrote a book telling about how my ggrandmother would not sit in the same room with my gggrandmother, since she looked Indian.
My cousins and I are going to the Mesquake powwow this summer. My folks lived among the Mesquake when they first came to IA. One of the cousins grew up attending the powwows. We hope he can show us the ropes.
Techteach
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