Who is White, and Who Is Native?

[Brackett481]

I don't know if this is the right thread, but no other thread seems to fit.

I have been going to gatherings and powwows for many years now. I sit and sing with two drums, and I try to live my life in a good way. i become distressed sometimes though. What makes a person a native? Is it blood or beliefs?

I am a member of the Cherokee tribe of NE Alabama. I am unable to trace my heritage, but still want to be able to call myself a native. Is being a member of a state recognized tribe good enough? Is it wrong of me to tell people that I am Native?

[hywalker]

I don't know if this is the right thread, but no other thread seems to fit.

I have been going to gatherings and powwows for many years now. I sit and sing with two drums, and I try to live my life in a good way. i become distressed sometimes though. What makes a person a native? Is it blood or beliefs?

I am a member of the Cherokee tribe of NE Alabama. I am unable to trace my heritage, but still want to be able to call myself a native. Is being a member of a state recognized tribe good enough? Is it wrong of me to tell people that I am Native?

i want to call myself a millionaire, doesnt change my bank account tho. this is covered in several other threads too.

[Mato Winyan]

i want to call myself a millionaire, doesnt change my bank account tho. this is covered in several other threads too.

But doesn't it count if you have pocket change and dream?

[hywalker]

But doesn't it count if you have pocket change and dream?

that and a good tip on the ponies wouldnt hurt the dream none lmao

[Mato Winyan]

that and a good tip on the ponies wouldnt hurt the dream none lmao

I'm not bettin on no thoroughbreds!! But of course it's your choice!!! Me........ I'm stickin with dem indin ponies....... and you know they aren't gonna pay out no money on them!!!

[hywalker]

I'm not bettin on no thoroughbreds!! But of course it's your choice!!! Me........ I'm stickin with dem indin ponies....... and you know they aren't gonna pay out no money on them!!!

dang nab it , there goes another one of my dreams lol guess i better show up for work monday (tho powerball could get my dream tonite lol)

[Lakota Wiyan]

White or what? Who cares?

I don't know if this is the right thread, but no other thread seems to fit.

I have been going to gatherings and powwows for many years now. I sit and sing with two drums, and I try to live my life in a good way. i become distressed sometimes though. What makes a person a native? Is it blood or beliefs?

I am a member of the Cherokee tribe of NE Alabama. I am unable to trace my heritage, but still want to be able to call myself a native. Is being a member of a state recognized tribe good enough? Is it wrong of me to tell people that I am Native?

Blood DOES matter! Genetically, I am related to people down through the ages who are indigenous to this continent, and NOT from Europe. That is a fact, and that helps to define ME as a Native. No matter how I live my life or what I believe, I am a Native of North America. That is actually something that Europeans cannot take away from me, so I hold that fact precious to my heart.

If you are living a good life, and you get to enjoy powwows, and you are invited to sing at a couple of drums, what is so wrong with your life? WHY do you need to be identified on paper, with a number, and walk around declaring yourself a native? I don't. I never walk around and flash my U number, or my tribal membership card, or just spout off to random people " Hey, I'm native, really!". It is just who I am, and just knowing who I am and being happy about it is enough for me.

Obviously you are not full native, otherwise you wouldn't even be worrying about it, so you must have other bloods that your ancestors gave you. Why not worry about proving how Irish or German, or Spanish, or whatever you are? Why not be just as proud of the other races/nationalities you are, and have happiness that you are here and you have had people who have come before you.

I hope that you and others who feel that this is something that they need to be fulfilled will find out that regardless of who the US Gov. says you are, you just are who you are. Native, European, Latin, Asian, or whatever, you are who you are, and that SHOULD be enough for you, otherwise, you might have other things to work on.

Hope you continue to lead a good life, and that you find some peace.

[crazydazy]

[QUOTE=Brackett481]I don't know if this is the right thread, but no other thread seems to fit.

I have been going to gatherings and powwows for many years now. I sit and sing with two drums, and I try to live my life in a good way. i become distressed sometimes though. What makes a person a native? Is it blood or beliefs?

I am a member of the Cherokee tribe of NE Alabama. I am unable to trace my heritage, but still want to be able to call myself a native. Is being a member of a state recognized tribe good enough? Is it wrong of me to tell people that I am Native?[/QUOTE

I am curious, how can you be a members of a state recognized tribe without being about to trace your native ancestory? I alsways thought tht that was a requirement.

[Cherie]

[QUOTE=crazydazy]

I don't know if this is the right thread, but no other thread seems to fit.

I have been going to gatherings and powwows for many years now. I sit and sing with two drums, and I try to live my life in a good way. i become distressed sometimes though. What makes a person a native? Is it blood or beliefs?

I am a member of the Cherokee tribe of NE Alabama. I am unable to trace my heritage, but still want to be able to call myself a native. Is being a member of a state recognized tribe good enough? Is it wrong of me to tell people that I am Native?[/QUOTE

I am curious, how can you be a members of a state recognized tribe without being about to trace your native ancestory? I alsways thought tht that was a requirement.

I'm curious myself. I don't know of any Tribe that will just enroll someone just because that person says they're native without proof.

[Cherie]

dang nab it , there goes another one of my dreams lol guess i better show up for work monday (tho powerball could get my dream tonite lol)

I was always told to be careful what you wish for cause it may come true. Maybe you should go and see if maybe some of those ones who are selling all those fake items will share some of their profits.;lol

[hywalker]

I was always told to be careful what you wish for cause it may come true. Maybe you should go and see if maybe some of those ones who are selling all those fake items will share some of their profits.;lol

would haveta be like extortion or maybe a lil blackmail will get them to let loose a lil of all that money eh? lol and yeah i hear ya on the wishes, remembering the 3 wishes story kinda gives one the creeps lol

wiyan , loved your word's on being proud of what race/nationality you are.
And finally, I am german but i dont partake on any traditional german ways yet i'm still german . I do participate in many native traditions yet i'm still no closer to being native (not that i was looking to turn native anytime in this lifetime lol) no matter how much i enjoy their powwows and traditions, not being native does not stop me from being able to enjoy native america. U can be proud of your heritage and still enjoy other cultures.
signed
proud white man lol

[Joe's Dad]

would haveta be like extortion or maybe a lil blackmail will get them to let loose a lil of all that money eh? lol and yeah i hear ya on the wishes, remembering the 3 wishes story kinda gives one the creeps lol

wiyan , loved your word's on being proud of what race/nationality you are.
And finally, I am german but i dont partake on any traditional german ways yet i'm still german . I do participate in many native traditions yet i'm still no closer to being native (not that i was looking to turn native anytime in this lifetime lol) no matter how much i enjoy their powwows and traditions, not being native does not stop me from being able to enjoy native america. U can be proud of your heritage and still enjoy other cultures.
signed
proud white man lol

Does your wife know this???

j/k

[Cherie]

[QUOTE=hywalker]would haveta be like extortion or maybe a lil blackmail will get them to let loose a lil of all that money eh? lol and yeah i hear ya on the wishes, remembering the 3 wishes story kinda gives one the creeps lol

wiyan , loved your word's on being proud of what race/nationality you are.
And finally, I am german but i dont partake on any traditional german ways yet i'm still german . I do participate in many native traditions yet i'm still no closer to being native (not that i was looking to turn native anytime in this lifetime lol) no matter how much i enjoy their powwows and traditions, not being native does not stop me from being able to enjoy native america. U can be proud of your heritage and still enjoy other cultures.
signed
proud white man.


If I were you I'd stick with the ponies you'd have better luck.

[hywalker]

Does your wife know this???

j/k

shhhhhh dont tell her, i told her i was an albino native lol

[Mato Winyan]

shhhhhh dont tell her, i told her i was an albino native lol

Dang....... you got that pink eye goin on?