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I doubt that my 2 cents worth here will bring peace to the debate here, but here goes.
A couple of years ago, we had several (or one masquerading as one) members attacking the forum members for their attempts to recognize their heritage. As fast as Bill and I could ban them, they found ways to continue posting, until they wore out.
One thing that stood out to me at the time, was a statement that one of the individuals had, something to the effect of how are you living your heritage? How are you helping those you claim as your ancestors? For me, I heard that statement (even as I banned the poster for other inflammatory comments). So, here I am in a hotel room, over half way to Pine Ridge with a trailer full of donations I collected and two vans full of students willing to pitch in and help with me and my husband, build beds and fix houses, for the next week.
I guess that this is my way of responding to that earlier comment, and also, a way to honor my gggrandmother who was so badly treated, not able to claim her Shawnee heritage and not allowed to see her family who did. In truth, she is the reason I am here. Had I not found her (my ggrandparents hid the heritage), I would not have gone to Pine Ridge in the first place to learn.
Peace folks.
Techteach
I was writing something when techteach posted. Then when I posted, I saw what techteach wrote and that it was much more apprpriate than what I’d written. So what I initially wrote is gone.
Hey Bee…… I go down the red dirt road in this part of NC…….. red mud when it rains. 😉 also….. is it ok to toot a flute? I keep tobacco in my horn.
There are so many things to say about the posts and the Thread. I know because of where I live, I have experienced so much. A woman I felt was nearly as close as a mother figure could be, once cut me to the quick at an elders funeral saying “but you’re white”…and granted, she has no CDIB card herself, but is married to a Kiowa who does and is a chief’s descendent. This hurt and confused me. Was she being mean? Was she trying to say she was better than me in some way?
Another experience we had was my two oldest daughters had done a dance exhibition at their grade school. On recess, the other kids surrounded my girls, ripped their coats off (it was fall) and stomped on them chanting “prairie- ni**er, prairie-ni**er”. Until that day I had never even heard that derogatory term for American plains indian.
So, my family and I have been on both sides, insulted, labeled and hurt.
I know several recognized fed tribes get very upset if a break off, branch try to raise up or get recognition as well. I don’t know what the full reasons could be, but Ive heard one main thing, money. The fed tribes don’t want to loose what they have. I cant say I blame them, but I do agree on one thing. Its not right to expect every native registered to come from family on some roll from the 1800s-1900s if the blood began earlier. That ticks me off to no end.
Im learning not to care what people think of my pedigree. I know I am native. Newly found Saponi and possibly more with the names Ive found, but all would be from the 1700s and back, so my chance to ever be enrolled would be few and far between, so I am who I am, I dance for the creator, I bead for my family and smile knowing (thanks again dreaminghawk).
Maybe one day all the tribes and mixed bloods can get along…maybe…
It is sad that we see today the same old story that has gone on for hundreds of years and more. People finding reasons to seperate and look down on eachother. It makes me proud of this group who’s history of mixed blood is proof that not everyone chose to hate another for for their color, but loved instead. Its beautiful to know that we are the result of that love. Hate didn’t stop us from being dispite an even greater persecution.. When you think of it that way, there’s nothing to be ashamed of in any of us.
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