Stop the Wannabee Clans

[milehighsalute]

Thats my first impression...gaing a recognition as being a legitimate group....if these people were Cherokee...why are they seeking recognition as being a clan?....I have seen others using the same tactics...one group comes to mind..is an association of.."bands" southern eastern Cherokee....Running Horse band is one thats local....for a modest fee...you too can become a member....
Its become one of the biggest scams in the country....creating a tribe...selling membership....and exploiting their new found heritage..for the benifit of a few....whats its doing it hurting people in two ways.....first...it gives the Anglo community a misrepresentation of the Actual Native community...second of all...its making it harder for legitimate tribes to gain recognition,because of the reputation the fake tribes are gaining....
It bothers me to no end..seeing what this is becoming....people thinking..there is money to be made by being Native..the Govt...don't just write checks..because you are enrolled...not always is there money for our children to go to college....there is nothing glamourous about reservation life..( I was told one time in a Msn chat...that they lived reservation style in Missouri...by someone claiming to be Blackfoot Cherokee...)commodities are no prize either...when given the choice between foodies and commods..most choose the foodies..(food stamps)...when we get homes built...its usually of the shotgun shack type...maybe a two bedroom.....I could go on and on......but it does no good...
trying to make some people understand..is like talking to a dog....you get tired and the dog still looks at you silly.....my rant is at an end......

agreed

[Mato Winyan]

These people feel "put upon" as you said it because they are sick and tired of having to deal with all these little groups popping up from Florida to Oregon (yeah, there is a group in Oregon claiming they were on the Trail and kept going). It's all so ridiculous.

Energizer Natives..... they kept going...and going... and going!!!

:rofl2:

[Singerdad]

This group is recognized in the state of Tennessee as a church. They set themselves up in that manner so they could claim tax-exempt status. They want people to think they are tax-exempt because they are an Indian tribe, but it's because they are a church.

Tsiniti is right in that there are no federally- or state-recognized tribes in Tennessee at the moment. But, it's not because there isn't a reservation or land base. It's because no groups meet the criteria to be a tribe.

As to Tsiniti's little jab at the "enrolled Cherokee"...why is that necessary? These people feel "put upon" as you said it because they are sick and tired of having to deal with all these little groups popping up from Florida to Oregon (yeah, there is a group in Oregon claiming they were on the Trail and kept going). It's all so ridiculous.

Granted, some people might have left the Trail so to speak and settled along the way, but entire groups didn't and these people certainly have not maintained a tribal identity, community or culture. As there are documented cases of Cherokees walking back from Oklahoma to the homeland in North Carolina, I doubt many just settled in an area and were content with that. It's just not documented.

[Tsiniti]

I've talked to a few people about this Wolf Clan, trust me, I've been informed by people in the State Govt.

There are NO state recognised tribes of any kind in the State of TN

There will be NO state recognised tribes in the State of TN. Cherokee or otherwise! The state history includes Cherokee all over the state! Chicasa, Choctaw, and I forgot the other one. They all have rightful claims, but because there is no reservation, then there will be NO recognition for ANYONE claiming any Native Nation, Tribe or Clan.

I'm sorry that the enrolled Cherokee feel so put upon, but they need to remember exactly how large the origninal Cherokee Nation was BEFORE it was split, and moved to Oklahoma. The Cherokee's were one of the three largest Nations BEFORE the Europeans set foot on this land. Is it any wonder there are so many decendants? DUH!

I am still trying to figure out the Princess stuff too, always have. Then WHY do the Pow Wows have them? Well then of course people can claim Granny as a Cherokee or whatever Princess ..... again DUH!!

[Tsiniti]

Thankfully, some of the County Commisioners and I went to school together, and knew that I'd been researching many years about not just my own heritage but also about just such as this crap (Wolf Clan) they called me and asked if I'd heard about them (which I had through Pow Wows and personal research trying to figure them out) and explained to them about Cherokee Clans, Tribes, recognition, and so forth. They decided not to even bother listening to them in this County.

I may not have recognition papers, but that doens't mean that people don't recognize me for myself!

[nykari]

Okay...part one in their website disection

Regarding their section labeled “About Us”

“The Cherokee Wolf Clan are Native American people banded together in an effort to keep our heritage and culture from vanishing from the face of the earth. We hope to keep the language alive by teaching the Cherokee language to members both old and young that want to learn it.”

So if they are Native American (generalized), why do they name themselves Cherokee? And if it is intertribal, shouldn’t heritage be plural? And the language is limited to just Cherokee?

“We hope also to establish a bond between members that existed in the tribes of old. We wish to continue the dances, storytelling, singing, and gatherings to celebrate the national holidays of the Cherokee people.”.”

Uh..yeah….and how’s that working out for you?

“We do not wish to exclude any member because of not having any legal proof of Native American blood. If any person feels they are descendants of Native Americans (no matter what tribe) we will welcome them into our Wolf Clan. Native American is a way of life and comes from the heart. It is also a religion in itself, respecting all living things and. trying to do what is good for all mankind. The Cherokee Wolf Clan wishes to work as a family group and grow with the help of its tribal members. “.”

Sounds like Huntsville City Schools and their Indian Education…..’it doesn’t matter if you are Creek, Cheyenne, or Lakota, we’ll still make you Cherokee.’

"The Cherokee Wolf Clan is registered in both the State of Tennessee and the National Government."

As what exactly……?

Our roll cards are recognized by the Court Systems, School Systems, Prison Systems and many others.”

Um…yeah…don’t leave out the prison system……..you might need it for fraud.

[nykari]

I'm not sure I completely understand what is the real makeup of what you refer to as a: Wannabe! Is it Ndn who cannot prove he is Ndn? Is it a person or persons who is not federally recognized in a tribe? Is it a person of mixed blood, without documentation? Or all of the above? I've read all your posts, still not sure of the total explanation and meaning of a: Wannabe! I'm not meaning any disrespect to any one, nor do I desire to take anything from anyone, that is not mine to have. Hey, I just a Mixed blood person researching my own heritage. That is not the subject here, and neither am I.

Honestly, I think everyone has their own variation of the definition.

P.S. For those who may wonder, I took the time to find out for myself who this clan is, and what they really stand for, before coming to any type of decision on this. I'm no member of that group, I have'nt heard them before now. Just wanted to know about them for myself.

I agree. Reading the posts, I had much imput to put in but I think I will wait until I see more on these folks.

[this1ndnchic]

Bunch of BS pfft lol

Man i call this wolfclan a bunch of BS! Im one to think that you dont have to PROVE yourself that your "Indian" except yourself and only yourself. I dont need a card to show who i am. I do it myself. But man i just think its bogus what these people are doing...

[Jammer]

It will take a stampede for these people to stop what they are doing. They feel either inadequate for not knowing their heritage, irsish, german, dutch etc, etc, and then take on the next closes thing that seems to be cool right now. I've talked with a man many times that claims to be of a certain tribe yet he doesn't know his clan nor any of the language, which isn't some big thing for a person raised off the rez or mixblooded, but when he started to put his own band together and claim his band as being from a certain nation I talked with him and the more I talked with him the more distant he seemed to be from not only himself but from the creator as well. I had understood from others that a year or so before this change in his life started he had heart attack, I could then understand why he was reaching out for something and not caring what it was. This man knows very,very little about who he claims to be and the nation. He has never traveled to the rez and has never been around a fullblood in his life. I proceeded to tell him how it actually is out on the rez and how the people are. I let him know on what things would be kosher and what things could get him smacked upside the head real quick. But he doesn't seem to listen, I speak about these differen things to him and he stares at the ground, that shows me that he doesn't want to know the truth nor does he care who it hurts in the process, because he's not for his so called people he is only for him self! I think in a way Arvol looking horse took the first step in trying to get us to help ourselfs...now I believe its time for our peoples to come together and put the sledge hammer down.

[Badmutha]

It's funny that this comes up again. It brings to question, why do they always claim to be Cherokee? Nobody says "My great-grandma was a Navajo Princess?
County recognition? Now I've seen it all. If Tennessee's county commissions are like they are in Western North Carolina, they don't know jack about NDNs.

[Summerwaters]

Hello All, I'm New Here and a Mixed Breed......

I'm not sure I completely understand what is the real makeup of what you refer to as a: Wannabe! Is it Ndn who cannot prove he is Ndn? Is it a person or persons who is not federally recognized in a tribe? Is it a person of mixed blood, without documentation? Or all of the above? I've read all your posts, still not sure of the total explanation and meaning of a: Wannabe! I'm not meaning any disrespect to any one, nor do I desire to take anything from anyone, that is not mine to have. Hey, I just a Mixed blood person researching my own heritage. That is not the subject here, and neither am I.

The subject is: "The Cherokeewolfclan" those you deem to be Wannabes. So after reading your posts, I could'nt help but to seek out for myself information about the Cherokeewolfclan. I found them. For those that want to know for themselves, who they are, and what they stand for. Heres the link:

http://www.cherokeewolfclan.org/index.html Now I'm not sure that will work from here, perhaps you can access them through http://www.cherokeewolfclan.org Either/or you can see what they stand for yourselfs. Unfortunately, I found they do charge $35.00 for Adult Membership. $10 for those under the age of 18, with a agreement of payment of $25 upon age of 18. I do understand one should never have pay to be a part of any tribe, or to be considered a Ndn. Their site explains their plans for the future, and they say they are registered in the Courts, Prisons, etc. For the price of $25-you'll receive a picture Id, with a goverment issued number in the left hand corner? This card will only be recognized and validated in certain areas by certain vendors, upon the discretion of any/all business owners. Please check them out for yourselfs and validate/make your own decision. It sounds like Wolftears may be correct.

I'm not sure why, but somehow this breaks my heart.

Sincerely yours,

Summerwaters

P.S. For those who may wonder, I took the time to find out for myself who this clan is, and what they really stand for, before coming to any type of decision on this. I'm no member of that group, I have'nt heard them before now. Just wanted to know about them for myself.

[ojibwaysweetie]

Them damn people are always trying to take and take from us, now I for one have been taunted hurt and made fun of by others, now I hear that they want to be like us i would say "u sobs get the hell away from our traditions you johnosh jimnedo" ( in my language That means you white devil). When will the raping our our people stop. First they trade with us get us drunk then steal and kill and rape now they want to be native! that boils my butter they are no "clan" they are like an organization to take and take and take and make our lives a living hell.

Thats my 2 cents

Where you from?

[Warrior Eagle]

You are right The true wolf that resides with the creator is watching and will continue until watching over the native people not any wannabees

[Warrior Eagle]

This is an outrage!

Them damn people are always trying to take and take from us, now I for one have been taunted hurt and made fun of by others, now I hear that they want to be like us i would say "u sobs get the hell away from our traditions you johnosh jimnedo" ( in my language That means you white devil). When will the raping our our people stop. First they trade with us get us drunk then steal and kill and rape now they want to be native! that boils my butter they are no "clan" they are like an organization to take and take and take and make our lives a living hell.

Thats my 2 cents

[One Hot Mama]

Book? Wish I had time to write, but all credit has to go to the Elders and others who have taught me.

Whether you're a member of a federally-recognized, state-recognised, terminated, or non-enrolled, there is a recognition amongst all of us as to who is really ndn and who's a wannabe. It's in the spirit and shows in the way you think, speak, and act, in the way you perceive and understand the rest of creation and your place in it, and the way you walk among the people.

A thougth once came to me when I was trying to tell someone how it is that we ndn folks know each other, and the picture Creator put in my head was a weaving which reached back into the beginning of things, spread into the future beyond what we can see, and back around again. There were many patterns, textures, and colors representing each people throughtout time. Sometimes these patterns ran into each other and blended, sometimes they faded out. There were places where there were holes and frayed places-more as it came to the past 500 yrs or so. The thing is that this weaving was woven from a single thread, both warp and weft, and this thread runs through each of us who are part of the weaving. We feel that connection between us, and it guides us, even the lost ones, to each other.
It is how we know.