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Jade,
Researching the Harris side of my family is what lead me to this forum initially. My grandfather was Sydney Harris. He lived his life in Lynchburg, VA from about 1910 until he died in the 70’s, but was not born there. I have been told by my father that he came from a farm in or near Elon, and that his mother was a Woodruff. She passed for white (blond and blue eyed), but her son was clearly very ndn looking. Straight jet black hair, deep copper tone, no facial or body hair, and Native features. He became a mail carrier and fully assimilated into the Colored community of Lynchburg. He is such a mystery. No one can tell me anything more about him. If he had brothers; where his father was from or who he was. I just assumed that of the ndn tribes we would be closely associated with the Monacans soley because of their close location, but I am truly at a loss. I contacted them and the only response I received was that they do not recognize the Harris surname, and that was it. Then there is Elizabeth Allen from Amherst County; I don’t know what tribe or band she was from. I’ve also been told that my g, g, grandmother Caddie was an ndn that was sold into slavery and that her life quest was to make it back to her family in Virginia, which she was able to do before she died; but not before a slave trader had his way with her and she had a child. I am an African American and people get REALLY upset with me when I speak of my ancestry. It’s hurtful and discouraging. I am wondering if Sydney Harris has any connection to the Harris’ from NC. BTW, my daughte’s name is also Jade;)
Deirdre
Deidre,
You have to understand that there are so many people who are claiming to be AA and in reality they are actually NA. We have had our culture and who we are disregarded for hundreds of years. It is taking some time but we are making our presence know. Harris is a Saponi surname and more than likely your Harris could be either Blackfoot or Saponi coming from the Lynchburg area, but if he was from NC then he or his family are most likely originally from VA. Indians were brought from VA into NC and used as slaves many years ago. The Tuscarora were one of the few tribes that were here in NC already in the early 1700’s. Research your family history. Start with the census and other records ie birth, death and find out your grandparents parent’s names on both side and their parents and so on. This is where you will find where they originated. Don’t except the label as AA if you are not sure that is what you are. Our ancestors would want us to fight to keep our identity. Also would be such an injustice to not teach your children who they truly are. We excepted the classification the government assigned us many years ago in their effort to make us no longer exist. Don’t do that to your family. You will see that we have nothing against AA but we are pro NA because that is who we are. Before you continue to us the AA label make sure that you know who you really are. Keep in mind that the slavery we had here of in Va and NC was actually indian slavery.
I pray that Grandfather will guide you in your quest. I know that it is His desire for you to find your true heritage.
Jade
Deidre,
I was getting ready to leave out for work when I responded earlier. I just wanted to add a few things to the previous post. The fact that some either identify with white or black is mostly due to there being a comfort level in identification with who society sees you as . I can’t express enough how important it is to really know who you are. You DO NOT (not yelling) want live a lie relative to who you are. So much was taken from us. My gr grandfather (Tuscarora) refused to learn to read and write in the english language. He was forced to take a Jewish name (Hyman) but he still stood his ground. We have to do the same. I feel it is a great show of disrespect to Grandfather who created us to deny who we are. To me that says we are ashamed of who we are and what others will think. You will find a lot of support on this forum. We will help you in anyway that we can in your quest. Bill is really good about finding information for others. I stay on my computer at home doing research. I have been blessed to have most of my information fall in my lap and then I go on line to find out more. This weekend I fould out the Boyd side (gr gr gr grandfather’s parents of the Plummer side) were Indian slaves. I found a record on William Boyd in the Freedmen Records where there was an bank acct setup for him and a note that says he along with two other men were free indian slaves. My family never said they were AA, white or anything else, but the truth was they were NA and had to except the Mullatto and Mustee label for safety reasons I am sure. I have to be a part of bringing back to my people what was lost. Please do it for Jade. She needs to know and she needs to be brought up in the culture. It is her generation that will carry on what our ancestors began.
Jade
Thanks again for posting your response 🙂 Personally, it is hard to identify with the Native American culture if I’ve been brought up in the African American culture because that is all me and my close relatives know. I am a descendent of both Africans and Native Americans but have been labeled as an African American only. Also, it is difficult if my elders do not pass on the customs/culture to this generation but only mention that we have “Indian Blood in our family” and then don’t even bother to pass on more information. Again, I believe that this generation/my generation MUST pass on our heritage and culture to our children/next generation 🙂
Erica Lewis
Erica,
How do you know that you are a decendant of Africa? Have you researched you family history? Let me let you in on a little secret. Most of my family did not let it be know that we were NA and I understand the reasons now, but I still say it disrespects Grandfather when we would rather identify with what is comfortable to us. I will be happy to help you. Please give me a call. I will send you a private message with my information. I can see that you are NA by looking at your picture. Your family may not understand your choice to learn more of your culture and they may not be receptive to what you are going to learn in your research, but your choice to honor and live the indian culture will bring them around. They will then began to tell you stories from their elders that they were afraid to tell before because they too did not think they would be received well. Trust me on this one. I have seen it happen to many people that are dealing with the same thing. You may be the one that Creator is going to use to bring your family peace within their spirit. Call me.
Jade
Dear Jade ,
I am a member here I just came across your post with Erica, I have spoken with Erica before. She is a very lovely person. I am in this type of Limbo I am of Native American, African American and European Decent. Like Erica I was basically raised as an African American, however the Element of Native American Ancestry was very strong in our family through Oral history. My grandmother spoke breifly about it. Most people went on with their live as just Americans and trying to live the American Dream. I felt very strongly in my heart to carry on my Native Ancestry. I have confirmed my Native heritage through DNA testing, genealogical research and interviewing family members. My GGgrandmothers paternal line goes back to the Chowanoc indians and I am currently working with a proffesional Genealogist to trace what tribe my GGG who was a full Native, tribe was from. Some Native Americans were sold into slavery. I agree with you in your strong feelings about our native heritage, many of my native ancestors were listed as colored, and mullatos well into the 1930’s many Native americans from the south do have African and European ancestry as well. You asked her how does she know she is African? all humans decent from African peoples whether distant or near. Some accept it or they don’t. Africans were our earliest ancestors. We also have to remeber how one looks physically, don’t always have to do with if we are Natives or not. I have been to a pow-wow and seen 3 generation of Navaho women mother, grandmother and great grandmother. The mother had a Physically black baby. He was darkskinned with afro hair and very beautiful. He had a round face like his native mother and she carried him proudly on her shoulders.
I have taken my son to pow-wows since he was three and he attended the turtle center School at the Native American Community house. He is 18 years old now. Yes I am very proud to be Native American. It just seems nowadays people are still caught up in color, race, one’s physical attributes ect. To be native american dosen’t mean you have to be Anti African American or Anti European or try to disprove you are one or the other let’s just call ourselves Native Americans and be proud. Race and color and the likes is something that should be left in the past.
I have a group and many of the people are of Native Decent who particpate in DNA testing and genealogical research to find their native Ancestry. Many of the members are from the south some black and some white. We have photos of our familys and our Family genealogies. You are a wonderful person in trying to help others find pride in thier heritage.
Take care.
Shoshone
Thank you Jade, for your words of encouragement. I absolutely owe it to my daughters to help them know who they are and to honor all of their ancestry. As I continue my research, the history is sometimes so painful that I have to stop. I wonder what is in the minds of the people I live among now. The atrocities were not that long ago. I want so much to know more about our customs so that I can live them and share them with my children. It is not going to come through the internet. I don ‘t believe that it is authentic enough. I guess that I must be patient. Peace to you.
Deirdre
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