Unwewlcome Feeling

[EricEagle]

Me and my Family lived in Shonto and Kayenta when I was a kid, and my brother and sister were born in the ndn hospital in Tuba city while we lived there. During the summer we would stay with a Dine family up north of there and i grew to love mutton and fry bread
Miss those days alot

You cant judge a book by its cover
some will like you and make you feel welcome, some dont care, some just walk past you thats true of any tribe or race

Well said. People are shallow, it's a shame, but this happens.

[Josiah]

Kewl! Well, the negative feelings I hear about us 'Navajo's' come from different people, not just you guys. I work with alot of tour operators out in Navajoland, most are quite nice, helpful, and enjoy their jobs. However, I have encountered hotel front desk people in Chinle, Kayenta, and out near Page that weren't so friendly. In my line of business, especially us travel agents, I judge how we get treated because its the same way our clients get treated. I know who I can trust and send my clients to just on how well I was treated prior. But there are people like that all over the world, not just Navajo Nation. :D. I just know, I have been judged by others because maybe their previous experience with another person of my tribe was not so great.

But my family in general, hosts many people from different walks of life around the world, to come visit, learn about our ways, etc. As long as they respect us, we'll respect them. My family loves to learn about different ways of life as they do not object to teach them about ours. Well and the same goes for alot of my friends too.

Actually its kinda funny because some people tell me I am very intimidating and they're scared of me. The reason why, in my past that's how I would defend myself, just not smile. LOL. Most of the time I am in deep thought or not paying attention, I just get this expression on my face that some are afraid of. But I am nooooooooo way near that, friendliest, huggable, and always laughing or joking around.

Soooooooooo anyhooooooooo, never judge a book by its cover I say....

Me and my Family lived in Shonto and Kayenta when I was a kid, and my brother and sister were born in the ndn hospital in Tuba city while we lived there. During the summer we would stay with a Dine family up north of there and i grew to love mutton and fry bread
Miss those days alot

You cant judge a book by its cover
some will like you and make you feel welcome, some dont care, some just walk past you thats true of any tribe or race

[timmy tiger]

Nezbah: I really don't know what you are saying about many or some people not liking Navajo's. I know several Navajo families in my area and they are the absolute sweetest people that I have ever met. When we see each other they smile and wave (if I'm not right there at the time) and then they always have the biggest hugs for me. I enjoy talking and visiting with them so much and they are so much fun and jokes, oh my that's great.

You know one of the couples a couple of years ago their daughter passed and I had heard about it and I was at an event that they had come to. I went up to see them and just let them know that if they needed anything just to ask. They were so happy to see me. You could see that they were hurting, but they still had such large smiles for everyone and still laughed with me. It's really great when I see them. I can't tell you enough how glad I am to have met them. And I'm really excited because I get to see some, if not all, of them this weekend just a little ways from my house. This should be great.

I've never seen the things that you mentioned and am glad that I have my friends and they are very very good people.

[luvstamales]

Started?

Where to Start--well, it seems like to me that you are "started". The next step is to realize that you are in fact "started".

Though the event you described is most unfortunate, that kind of treatment exsists for most people in every community, whether it's a native community or non-native community.

Personally, I am made up of 3 tribes, yet I am often shunned by one tribe or another simply because I am not a half or full blood. The good thing is to accept that I am who I am. I embrace as much as possible from each of my tribes. Additionally, I lend as much support as possible to each of my tribe's customs and ways. Sometimes that support may be by active participation, financial, or educating others about my tribes. Most importantly, we must all respect the ways of all peoples including non-natives.

I hope for success in your endeavors and sincerely hope that you do not give up. We all could use a little education when it comes to our ancestors. I just wish EVERYONE could be a little more understanding and open minded when it comes to others. But that could apply anywhere in life. It all comes down to RESPECT.

[Nezbah]

Sorry to hear this happened wheretostart. Everyone is right that it should have been caught and corrected. I too am familiar with unwelcome feelings being mixed myself - it happens. But believe me you will find good hearted people if you just keep your chin up and keep celebrating all that you are.
Nezbah, when my husband and I passed through Navajo country a few years back, we were welcomed and invited to stay as long as we liked. We ate some of the best fry bread and mutton stew I have ever tasted! Good times! Good feelings!

Kewl! Well, the negative feelings I hear about us 'Navajo's' come from different people, not just you guys. I work with alot of tour operators out in Navajoland, most are quite nice, helpful, and enjoy their jobs. However, I have encountered hotel front desk people in Chinle, Kayenta, and out near Page that weren't so friendly. In my line of business, especially us travel agents, I judge how we get treated because its the same way our clients get treated. I know who I can trust and send my clients to just on how well I was treated prior. But there are people like that all over the world, not just Navajo Nation. :D. I just know, I have been judged by others because maybe their previous experience with another person of my tribe was not so great.

But my family in general, hosts many people from different walks of life around the world, to come visit, learn about our ways, etc. As long as they respect us, we'll respect them. My family loves to learn about different ways of life as they do not object to teach them about ours. Well and the same goes for alot of my friends too.

Actually its kinda funny because some people tell me I am very intimidating and they're scared of me. The reason why, in my past that's how I would defend myself, just not smile. LOL. Most of the time I am in deep thought or not paying attention, I just get this expression on my face that some are afraid of. But I am nooooooooo way near that, friendliest, huggable, and always laughing or joking around.

Soooooooooo anyhooooooooo, never judge a book by its cover I say....

[they_drag_him]

We ate some of the best fry bread and mutton stew I have ever tasted! Good times! Good feelings!

I've never had mutton stew but the Elephant Bar around the corner serves a lamb shank with mashed potatoes for $7.95.

[yellowthunders mama]

Sorry that happened

Sorry to hear this happened wheretostart. Everyone is right that it should have been caught and corrected. I too am familiar with unwelcome feelings being mixed myself - it happens. But believe me you will find good hearted people if you just keep your chin up and keep celebrating all that you are.
Nezbah, when my husband and I passed through Navajo country a few years back, we were welcomed and invited to stay as long as we liked. We ate some of the best fry bread and mutton stew I have ever tasted! Good times! Good feelings!

[they_drag_him]

And not once did they lay any Witchcraft on us!
Jhen

I wouldn't call it witchcraft but "medicine that's not conducive." Sheesh, I'm sounding like I went to college, lol.

[jhen341]

Hey Nezbah,
I was out to Antelope Canyon this summer and the Navajo Guides were some of the nicest people I've met!
Joking around with us and teasing with the other guides.
I was the only american the rest were from europe.
And not once did they lay any Witchcraft on us!
Jhen

[Nezbah]

Actually, TDH, you're right. You're people did help us 'Navajo's out in the past. My powwow dad is actually of Lakota but I remember him telling me stories how many northern tribes, including the Dakota's, Lakota's, etc did help our people out, especially in the cold harsh winters, even the Dene' tribe up in Canada. There are old stories that I have heard. It's actually pretty kewl to hear them stories. I only tell of what has happened to me, even though I am not one of them 'mean' Navajo's.......LOL. But plenty of people out there label us cuz frankly I have met and seen some of these 'mean' Navajo's. However, we're not all like that, I know plenty of really good hearted Navajo's out there. Like with all races, not everyone is going to like eachother, etc.

Your right its also the AD's responsibilities to handle that, but some AD's are still green or don't even know any better. There is no AD or MC handbook out there... (by the way I am selling them for 19.95 plus shipping....jokes). But we also live in a 'freeworld' where everyone is entitled to their opinons, etc. I can't force anyone to shake my hand, I just try to be objective and see that, wow, someone actually shook my hand....LOL.

Its the same I teach my lil one, don't worry about what you didn't get, appreciate the things you do get. Sure as heck to help him with not feeling so disappointed in the long run.

[they_drag_him]

Nezbah,
My people would have been kind to you. In Dakota the name for the Dineh translates into "people with striped blankets."
Not shaking hands in the arena should have been noticed by the arena director. The blame should fall on somebody and if that somebody is the arena director than he should answer to the powwow police.

[Nezbah]

Sorry to hear about your experience. However, this is not uncommon even amongst us fullblooded natives either. There are times that I have been mistreated up north because I am Navajo. Navajo's are labeled as mean, they do witchcraft, etc., etc. Heck, my exboyfriend was forced to break up with me because I was Navajo. Actually that was 2 exboyfriends, one was Pueblo and the other was from WA state. Soooooo there is prejudice everywhere among everyone and not just a black/white thing. I know of some Navajo's who will not have anything to do with Ute's or Hopi's and vice versa. So there are bad feelings everywhere you go. Me, myself, I don't like it but its out there. I have to teach my son, at a very early age, that not everyone is going to like us because of our color, our race, or our heritage, and not every Native is going to like us either. Yes, I was taught to not be disrepectful in the powwow arena but to this day not everyone is taught the same things. There is a new generation out there, some with disrepect and some with complete ignorance. You, being of a different color, should understand this, I can't say its completely acceptable, but there is a certain point that you can't change what everyone thinks or feels. I, of course, don't like being judged at all but I can't change it. I don't live my life to please everyone else, I live my life as I feel I should. I don't expect everyone I meet to like me or think my family is the greatest. That would be unrealistic, however, I live and teach my son, to live our lives to the fullest how WE want it to be. I have a great deal of respect for everyone in the powwow circle, outside the circle, on different nations, or wherever. I was never taught to hate or think bad of anyone or anything else. Maybe, instead of focusing on why nobody shook my hand, embrace the ones who did, all it does is take 1. It can just take 1 person to make a impact on your life, not everyone. So next time you go to a powwow, keep a open mind, don't expect everyone to like you, like yourself, and then if you keep going, people may notice you enough they'll see your true to yourself. I know for myself, it does take me time to approach someone or really get to know someone even if I have seen them 10 or 15 times. Trust is a key thing here and developing that trust does take time. So like everyone says here, don't give up and let time take its course. Just remember your not the only one people are looking at. :D. Personally, I would have shaken your hand but it would take me a while to speak with someone, but that's just me.

[Josiah]

Okay,

I am 27 years old and yes, African American. My Great grandmother is half- Cherokee and black.

And i know what you are probably saying, oh it's another wannabe. That I am not. My Great Grandmother and Grandmother spoke briefly about her cherokee heritage and ancestry when asked. I was told of how some slaves inter-married with the native americans and becamme freedmen.But other than that, nothing really. Either way, I embraced it throughout my life, unashamed of any part of me. I have to children now and anxious to let them know all parts of there ancestory and history. Yes, to me it matters who i am and where my family comes from as well as their struggles and triumphs, contrtibutions, etc. I planned to educate my childeren on Native American history, culture, etc just as I do African-American History.

I went to a Pow Wow today and was disappointed. my family was only one of like 5 other families that were african american in the crowd. There was one Native american that appeared of african descent and others that appeared Full-blooded native americans. BUT the majority seemed of caucasion descent, inter-married descendants. I have no problem with this, i was just expecting more native americans that resembled me.

At the Pow Wow, I was greeted kindly by several Dancers and I believe a chief. That made me feel welcome, until the friendship dance or circle(I apologize if i am getting the terminology wrong),The announcer invited the crowd in the arena to join them. I wanted to have my daughter participate and always leran/experience something new, took her.When everyone shook hands in the circle, To my dismay, Many did not want to shake my daughter's hand nor mine. It was disheartening to see the grim faces they expressed to us as the shook the caucasion guests hand in front and behind us.
This was not an event I planned to explain to my daughter why they did not want to shake her hand and why they ignored her presence.
It saddened her to experience that.


After returning home, i have done some research and realized that some slaves were kept as slaves on Native American land and others
were inter-married. Black Indians and Freedmen is what they are called. nevertheless, it seems they are not accepted into the cherokee or other tribes whether they have prooof of blood or not. And also looked down upon as being less or lower class.

This sucks, all my life i have been boasting about how proud i am of being part cherokee, even if its not 100%. It is still in my blood, it is still part of me and now my children.


I Know not to base all Native Americans on this experience nor there traditions. Yet, it seems on the threads that anyone who is not 100% Native Americans are labeled as wannabe's or as someone who is trying to destroy Cherokee Society.

How can I be placed at fault for trying to find out a part of my heritage?

Why should I continue to educate my children on the Cherokee Nation and its culture and heritage if it refuses to acknowledge or accept them Because (most likely) they are from Black indian descent(not freedmen, my grandmother was born into slavery. a child when slavery was abolished.

And if I continue to do so, where can I find friendlier pow wows, and some that may have more Black Indian participants.

Also, where do I began finding/tracing blood lines.

I am sorry if it sounds like I am rambling, But I take issues such as these seriously. I deal with racism enough on a dailly basis, I am not trying to put in my children's face.

Please give any advice, information, resources that you may have. I am open-minded and refuse to have any ignorant or misleading information, notions etc keep me from knowing any truths.

There is always more than one side to a story.

I cant speak for the set of circumstances that they would refuse to shake hands
Frankly I have never seen that here in Oklahoma Powwows but I cant speak for those in the southeast as I saw I alot of things that I have never seen anywhere else.
It is always best if you go with someone that powwows you will have a much better time because they can explain things that make no sense to most non-ndns
If you dont know anyone that fits that then I would suggest you do some reading here on Powwow.com especially in the FAQ areas and ask questions of members on here is a great start

Understand this however
I have been going to powwows since I was a little boy and I still dont know everything
There are over 500 tribes in United States and more in Canada
We alll have differet ways of doing things.
But when it comes to shaking hands a 2 year old "NDN" knows how to shake hands ndn way!

[Eagle Plumes]

Ive never treated anyone like that any where! specially not in the arena. I may have not agreed with them for what ever reason, behavior ,dance style whatever but ive never acted ugly, and ive never refused a hand shake, thats not the way I was raised to conduct myself in the arena. I would gladly shake your hand and any who were with you.

[NorthofAda]

There are classes on the Cherokee language, but there are also tapes and books out there that come right from the people who live on the Res. and that's what I would recomend that you do if you are truely interested in learning the language. However, my understanding is that there was and still may be several dialects and that both the Eastern (Cherokee, NC) and Western (OK) cherokee's have some different terms and pronunciation (spelling?) differences. So if you are interested and your family came through the "Freedmen", if I were you--I would look for the ones that come from the OK Cherokee's. That's just my opinion. I, also, know that there is a State Recognized Tribe of Cherokee's in GA, but I can't remember where but I believe that they have something to do with the "Echota" (that might be what they call themselves). What they can or can not help you with--I really don't know--I've never had any dealings with them, I just know about them from a few others. I, personally, deal with the ones on the REs in NC and I have friends from OK as well. Good luck and I hope that you find what you are looking for.

I think timmy tiger might be referring to the Georgia Band of Eastern Cherokee. If so, you might want to touch base with the Webmaster here, Paul Gowder, as he is from that tribe.

Wheretostart, I am very sorry about your experience. It's not just black/indians that run into some funny looks, though. You should see how folks react to my blue-eyed, blond-haired daughter. I just teach my children that our tribe had contact and intermarriage with other races, black and white, going back hundreds of years, and that there is no shame in that. There was probably a lot more acceptance back even then. If you married into a woman's family, you became part of that clan and family, regardless of what color you were.

Stay proud of who you are and learn as much as you can, but as timmy tiger says start with your family and find out where you came from. My brother-in-law is a black Cherokee, and his grandma taught him a lot. He's proud of his heritage and doesn't let anyone discourage him, even if he doesn't look like your typical Indian.

If you were at one of the powwows here, I would definitely shake your hand.