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Seeking your opinions and answers to some questions <3
A couple days ago, my friends and I (we're all Native/Pomo) had a conversation that sparked a few questions and caused quite a lot of debate and drama that I'm even now still dealing with. Things are tense, lmao.
So, we got to talking about a couple people we know (that are somewhat "in" our friend group where most people are half to full native) that are mostly white and have small traces of native in them (to the point where I doubt a standard DNA test would show any native dna, but they definitely have native ancestors further back).
They weren't raised Native, and I don't think their family was either.. but these people *are* respectful, trustworthy, passionate about the culture and community. They aren't trying to get accepted to the tribe or trying to find a way to get money, a scholarship, or to seem more ~*exotic*~.. if they were any of those things I absolutely wouldn't be friends with these people.
They're in their late 20s and they have spent the past 4-5 years immersing themselves in their people and culture. To me, they are Native.. even though they are mostly White (with long-dead ancestors) and weren't raised Native. But I know not every Native in the world agrees with this.
So, my questions for you all since I've given you some context:
1. How much Native ancestry must someone have to call themselves Native, and are people beyond a certain % of ancestry excluded from that right?
2. Should people with minuscule Native ancestry be "allowed" to connect with their tribe, participate in it, immerse themselves in their people and their people's issues/culture/ways, and call themselves Native? As long as it is genuine and sincere, obviously.
3. For people who are mostly white and were not raised Native but 100% have Native ancestors (long-dead), is it too late for them to /be/ Native? To connect and be a part of the community? Should they not even try?
I'd appreciate your opinions, answers, and perspective so much. Thank you in advance ♥
So, we got to talking about a couple people we know (that are somewhat "in" our friend group where most people are half to full native) that are mostly white and have small traces of native in them (to the point where I doubt a standard DNA test would show any native dna, but they definitely have native ancestors further back).
They weren't raised Native, and I don't think their family was either.. but these people *are* respectful, trustworthy, passionate about the culture and community. They aren't trying to get accepted to the tribe or trying to find a way to get money, a scholarship, or to seem more ~*exotic*~.. if they were any of those things I absolutely wouldn't be friends with these people.
They're in their late 20s and they have spent the past 4-5 years immersing themselves in their people and culture. To me, they are Native.. even though they are mostly White (with long-dead ancestors) and weren't raised Native. But I know not every Native in the world agrees with this.
So, my questions for you all since I've given you some context:
1. How much Native ancestry must someone have to call themselves Native, and are people beyond a certain % of ancestry excluded from that right?
2. Should people with minuscule Native ancestry be "allowed" to connect with their tribe, participate in it, immerse themselves in their people and their people's issues/culture/ways, and call themselves Native? As long as it is genuine and sincere, obviously.
3. For people who are mostly white and were not raised Native but 100% have Native ancestors (long-dead), is it too late for them to /be/ Native? To connect and be a part of the community? Should they not even try?
I'd appreciate your opinions, answers, and perspective so much. Thank you in advance ♥
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