- This topic has 10 voices and 26 replies.
-
Posts
-
I wouldn’t hold my breath on the government “recognizing” anyone at the moment, in fact I look for the government to not recognize the recognized in the future from the looks of things. And if the recognized don’t recognize you, then your chances are slim anyway. I do know firsthand that there are groups petitioning states to stop state recognition as well.
I don’t see the point in recognition anyway because “What in the Sam Hill am I going to do with it?” I mean I make more money being un-recognized than I would being recognized and am too independant to rely on anyone taking care of me. It’s just a worthless feather in my cap that I don’t need really.
And I am not being negative and realize alot of my posts sound that way. Actually I am a realist and know some things about the native communities, how they operate, and know alot of people are working against any further “recognitions” in a governmental sense, including the government.
You are likely right SteveO…unfortunately or not. I suppose in my own way I’ll eventually get comfy with the fact that my kinfolk were of mixed blood…toss in some Irish, some saponi, some cheokee on mother’s side and gobs of German’s on dad’s side…I suppose I am truly a “heinz 57” variety. I just get frustrated because not only do I NOT “look” the part but I have a difficult time with the uncertainties and biases. At Pow wows I look like an outsider to many but in my heart I feel so much at home…and a big sassy part of me wishes that I could somehow right wrongs done on behalf of my departed ancestors. Unravelling the fray is a tough and tall order. Take care~~~Laurie
I hate to use the term bitter, I would just like some straight answers, whatever they are…just a little honesty. Sorry to vent…
I hear ya.
And like I said the other day to the newcomer, if your family’s oral history tell you you’re Saponi, then you know more than just about anybody else and that source is as definitive as it gets. You already have the answer. You’ve always had it.
It’s like the day I realized that there wasn’t going to be any contemporary tribe I could refer to that was where our family came from. Who we came from had disappeared into history. And I got so sad, thinking, “damn, they didn’t make it.” And I went to bed grieving over it. Then I woke up the next morning and thought, ”That was stupid. If “they” didn’t make it, what am I doing waking up?”
I know who “they” are because I know who my family is, that reverberates down the centuries. It just does.
Linda wrote: I hear ya.
And like I said the other day to the newcomer, if your family’s oral history tell you you’re Saponi, then you know more than just about anybody else and that source is as definitive as it gets. You already have the answer. You’ve always had it.
It’s like the day I realized that there wasn’t going to be any contemporary tribe I could refer to that was where our family came from. Who we came from had disappeared into history. And I got so sad, thinking, “damn, they didn’t make it.” And I went to bed grieving over it. Then I woke up the next morning and thought, ”That was stupid. If “they” didn’t make it, what am I doing waking up?”
I know who “they” are because I know who my family is, that reverberates down the centuries. It just does.
Hi Linda,
I do not mean to incite arguments with bringing back old posts, but there are some good questions that have never really been answered.
I also do not want to stir up ill feelings, we are all searching…isn’t that it. And we should respect one another’s search, because we all have different personal reasons for it.
We never really quit searching, even when we think we know…we just cannot help to dig deeper, it’s in our nature, I think.
This doesn’t mean we do not believe the family stories, we just need to somehow take part in that family history.
I am sure I have shared, numerous times, and many may say “here she goes again,” but I never knew my father or this side of my family. Yeah, I can listen to old stories, but somehow, I want to be there.
Don’t know if this makes sense, it did as I typed it.:o
Blessings,
Shirley
Shirley, don’t stop repeating yourself. Those of us with brain damage think we are hearing it for the first time. :~D
I am a descendant of this exact “Portuguese” Settlement that you are referencing. You would like to do further research into this community? What is it you would like to know? I have been researching my lineage and history of this community for almost 15 years and I am still pulling out my hair.
Crystal 🙂
Nice to see you Crystal. Please check your email in your profile. I don’t think it’s good anymore. Haven’t been able to reach you. Wanted to send Shirley to you, but didn’t have current info.
Ok Linda, all done. Good to see you too. Been busy on this end with work and kids playing Lacrosse but I’m still trying to squeeze in research when I can. Hope all is well with your crew. Give the kids a big hug and kiss for me and tell them I love them. 🙂
Laura,
HAVE YOU BY CHANCE READ RICHARD ALLEN CARLSON JR”S DISSERTATION
He did a pretty good job documenting our mixed blood ancestors and their migration pattern. Just to name a few; Collins and Gibsons. My ancestors.
He identifies and documents our Saponi, Pawhatten, Pawmunkey, Chickamominy and others that help to make up our mixed heritage.
Cleland
BlondeyeLaurie wrote: You are likely right SteveO…unfortunately or not. I suppose in my own way I’ll eventually get comfy with the fact that my kinfolk were of mixed blood…toss in some Irish, some saponi, some cheokee on mother’s side and gobs of German’s on dad’s side…I suppose I am truly a “heinz 57” variety. I just get frustrated because not only do I NOT “look” the part but I have a difficult time with the uncertainties and biases. At Pow wows I look like an outsider to many but in my heart I feel so much at home…and a big sassy part of me wishes that I could somehow right wrongs done on behalf of my departed ancestors. Unravelling the fray is a tough and tall order. Take care~~~Laurie
My relatives on both sides (Edgenton and Gross) were rejected from the Miller rolls of the Eastern Cherokee. I found it amazing to read their testimony so long ago. The most amazing thing I learned from that testimony, is that I learned the name of my families most recent owner – – they were ex slaves (tri-racial). I have since been able to track my family’s movement from Roanoke Virginia into North Carolina through their owner’s records. (Before this, I didn’t know my family had history in VA as well).
I agree that I am content to be a Saponi “descendant” since tribal enrollment is not really possible (I live in Los Angeles and have never even been to NC!). I’m doing a presentation to my family at my family reunion in July and will be sharing the Saponi (probably Ocaneechi) research I’ve found that my family history seems to point to. Now that I’ve found Hancocks in my family line, I’ll go back and read the Miller testimonies to see if there were any Hancocks listed there as well.
I’m proud that my mom and aunts slept under quilts that had the same symbol as was found at the Ocaneechi excavation. This is such an exciting connection to the past . . . even if we can’t enroll anywhere! Thanks so much for this website and the important work that everyone is doing!
Linda;29809 wrote:
I have this straight from the horse’s mouth. About six years ago a BIA attorney told the above-mentioned seminal group of Occaneechi that they had zero zippo prayer in hell of ever being recognized federally unless their tribal rolls contained only people who had lived in the same locale for the past 200 years. End of story.
IMHO, the Guys and Gibsons belong to a very large group of descendants, not just to what has now become a very exclusive group that most of those descendants have no access to. It doesn’t hold water, and it’s just going to stir up hard feelings. But it’s just what seems to be the inevitable fallout when you get in bed with the BIA instead of your own kissing cousins.
And that’s why I don’t believe in government recognition.
I do not believe in nor care to have government recognition. It is just another way of them controlling people. What I would like is to be free as I am and would like the government to acknowledge that they are a part of the problem, that is the force behind the laws that made it impossible for many Native families to co-exist. There was a law in Georgia until 1982 that if you any any Indian blood, you could not legally obtain deed to land and neighbors could take your property and even kill you without fear of prosecution. I read about this in the Georgia Black Book. It is a crying shame so many people had to hide who they were.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
