blood quantum

[blacktail]

this has the potential to be a good thread. apparently the u.s. gov't uses blood quantum to determine who is and who isn't NDN. (i say apparently cause we all know better) anyway, my dad just had to have a blood transfusion. so does that mean he's no longer NDN?

[wanjica_the_one]

this has the potential to be a good thread. apparently the u.s. gov't uses blood quantum to determine who is and who isn't NDN. (i say apparently cause we all know better) anyway, my dad just had to have a blood transfusion. so does that mean he's no longer NDN?

No, we determine who is native. What nation claims you? Who are your elders? Who is your family? That is all that is needed, goverment has no say so.

[blacktail]

i know, which is why i said we know better. i just wanted to see what kind of comments people came up with.

[BlueDove]

re : blood quantum

here's my problem I was told by boh sides of my family that we were native by my grandparents well I traced my 5th great grandmother on my dads side and it just says Native American or American Indian no nation my skin is white and I have Blue Eyes was told we are Cherokee and Souix found the surname of my mothers side on the Bakers Rolls only got the wrong names told to me about my great grandparents only got their middles names so for years I have been searching and not getting anywhere in a previous statement it was said that what nation claims you where do I fit in no nation claims me and how much blood quantum is considered see things saying just one drop dunno tired of running around in circles on the outside I am white on the inside my heart is native what do I do?

[kgirl7]

here's my problem I was told by boh sides of my family that we were native by my grandparents well I traced my 5th great grandmother on my dads side and it just says Native American or American Indian no nation my skin is white and I have Blue Eyes was told we are Cherokee and Souix found the surname of my mothers side on the Bakers Rolls only got the wrong names told to me about my great grandparents only got their middles names so for years I have been searching and not getting anywhere in a previous statement it was said that what nation claims you where do I fit in no nation claims me and how much blood quantum is considered see things saying just one drop dunno tired of running around in circles on the outside I am white on the inside my heart is native what do I do?

This would be a bit easier to understand if you had punctuation, but I'll try.

First you can't be "native on the inside" if you don't know what being native is. You have documented Native American ancestry for sure, but how can you be something you know nothing about? Most people who say this rely on stereotypical or romanticized notions of what Native people are like.

You might not have a nation yet, but you have a family! You said you traced your 5th great grandmother? Perhaps you can find more family members as a result of this search that can help you track down more information. Same for the name you found on the Baker's roll. Even if you don't find out any tribal information you will have found tons of family members and I think that is a great thing!

[BlueDove]

Sorry about the punctuation. I just have this feeling inside of me ,maybe me saying I'm native in my heart was a wrong way to put it.I have felt drawn (not sure if I'm putting it right)to Native Americans like Im a part of that race ,putting into words what I feel is hard . There are stories from my uncles of things my great grandmother did that is native . My grandmother always said that she stayed out of the sun ,because she would get dark and people would know ? What I'm afraid I'm trying to say is gonna sound wrong and putting it on the boards may not be the right thing or proper? But yes you are right I have found tons of family members and that is awesome .
My 5th great grandmother is Zilpha B Horner, listed as an American Indian ,dont know if anybody knows that name or not. My great grandmother is Lorena Mae Lambs Dies, her daughter is Margaret Dies Hoy (my grandmother) . In the past 2 or 3 months I just found out this information .
On my mothers side my great grandfather was Bruce Edward Steele,I found an Ollie Steele on the rolls. My grandmother Esther Steele married a James Mardis . The Mardis family is somehow connected to the WalkingShaws ,not exactly sure how .But Im told through the Steeles and Mardis families is the Cherokee nation ,like I said I found an Ollie Steele on the Baker Rolls. Its just a puzzle that I havent all the pieces to yet. Thank you for your comment . I will continue my search and try to learn what being native is . And I now have a ton of family members I am ever so thankful for. I hope you have a good day.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Hi Blue Dove,

You've been here since 2005? Have you seen the posts by Timmy Tiger on many ancestry threads here?

The tribal enrollment agent, or office can help you piece together the family lineage. They have search results from other persons that may have some of your lineage. Keep on going!

[kgirl7]

You desire to learn about your Native heritage and be part of that culture. That's what it is, and nothing wrong with that. Just as long as you don't have any romantic notions and stereotypes of what being Native is. Also realize, that being light skinned and blue eyed you will have a different experience being Native the same way I have a different experience being Native because I look Black.

I agree Timmy Tiger is the person to talk to! Hope you find your family and more information.

[BlueDove]

Thank you for your comments. Yes, you are very correct in your statement of our different experiences on being Native . I get told all the time about it . Being blamed as being a poser? Now that don't bother me as much as the fact I know what I feel in my heart.
Yes, Ive been here since 2005 , still trying to learn . Thank you both so much for the info , I will contact Timmy Tiger and search the ancestry threads, as I have just recently found this information in the past couple of months. Hope you all have a good day

[kgirl7]

Whoa that's a lot of red beads. Anyway it looks like you've already started dancing? I'd find out about family first before I started "feeling" anything in my heart.

[RedThunderMC]

Ndn

If you have one drop of Indian blood in you, then you are Indian!

Black Elk, "Black Elk Speaks"