[scrubsnhugsRN]

This thread really sums up who I am as a person, my belief system. I think since I was raised with such a strong link to my native heritage through my mother, there is a part of me that recognises that my cultural history is one to be proud of. Something I hold dear inside of me and something I carry out in my proffesional relations at work. I do not feel the need to tell people who or what I am culturally, but I certainly treat people I take care of with those native aspects my mother taught me.
I work in IHS, although since I dont have a CIB I was not hired as Native preference.
I work in the northwest where the Native population is mainly Tlingit/Haida. This population is very active in the community, and a big part of the cultural history in this town.
I think because of the way I was raised, I am really able to connect with my patients in ways others might find difficult, if not culturally prepared.
Certainly, it is not the color of skin, the blood quatum I carry, but it is a mannerism, a tone of voice, and a deep respect that is understood from myself to another..this is what makes me who I am.

I am a puzzle made up of many pieces, each unto thier own, that is the whole.....that is me.

[Mountain22]

I'm a quarter Patowatomi. It has always been something that has interested me and for some years I have wanted to know more about my heritage. A couple of weeks ago I went and visited my tribe and took part in the winter ceremonies. This was a very great experience and I learned so much that weekend. It was like the sacred part of our tribe was still alive and I knew and have always known that I have a place there.
I told my brother about it and some of my family do care and some don't really care about that side of being an Indian. But I don't think that it makes them any less Indian. And a lot of what I heard was that some of the Indians think that when an Indian goes and gets and education and works outside of the tribal area that they have left the tribe.
I myself don't think that this is really accurate because we live in a world where education can lead us forward and ensure our survival as human beings. To me its about embracing all parts of life. Being native American to me means that I can always return to those whom I share an ancestral heritage. So can all the other members. To me this heritage is important and should not die out.

What this has to do with being a nursing student and a future nurse-I also think that some of thing things you can learn from cultural heritage you can take with you and apply it to your work.

[cholul]

Multicultural nursing is often complicated by this "part Indian" issue. I know one alcoholic patient - nice, middle class, American accountant - stays "confused" because, as it turns out, all of his grandmothers were "passing" and he can't believe the Christian dogma in which he now lives because they sent him to church but then "corrected" his religious beliefs after he got home. Result? We get yet another substance abusing patient to deal with. <sigh>

This is the best "part Indian" assessment I have ever seen and certainly something to keep in mind: http://www.nativetech.org/tate/indian.html

[Hopefull2009]

I think the amount of "blood" is extremely important because the federal government gives huge amount of very deserving benefits to those that meet the critieria....and a line has to be drawn somewhere.

I have a close friend that is 100% Lumbee Indian, and when she obtained her tribal card, this allowed her to go to any state school for FREE. It also permitted her to apply for other benefits that is specifically reserved for Native Americans, etc.

I think NAI's deserve every benefit they have coming to them.

I don't agree, that everyone that claims to have an affiliation of 1/16th, is entitled to it. The gov't has the right to draw the line somewhere.

I can't claim to be of a particular race just because I have a "strong" interest in the culture.

[pickledpepperRN]

Originally Posted by Roy Fokker

I have a question:

And I hope people don't take it the wrong way. I'm merely curious and desire to know more.


I'm assuming that NAIs are "classified" depending on their ancestory (and hence, the amount of "native blood" in them).

Does this relate to granting/confering/aquiring some status in law and/or society?

If so, is this or can this be related on a basic level with what happened to black folk in the late 18th century (for example, the "3/5th Compromise")?

Yes, I know it isn't a direct (and thus arguably a poor) comparison.
No, I'm not trying to dilute the issue.

I'd like to arrive at some kind of an understanding...

Roy:

There are financial advantages for people who can prove 25% (I believe) or more "Indian blood".
Five of my cousins attended college with tuition and housing assistance because they are 50% Cherokee. Most of the Native America college graduates attended a university in Oklahoma.

My uncle was a full member of my aunts tribe although he was not genetically Cherokee at all. The tribe but not the government recognized him as such.

I attended Bible camp and learned a lot of Indian lore, songs, dances, and crafts. (I never again want to try to fit a needle through a hole that is too small)
I do know several college graduates who attended UCLA. One is a nurse and often assumed to be from the Philippines.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Scholarships Helping Native American Nursing Students Serve Rural Oklahoma: http://www.osu-okmulgee.edu/news_and...hp?news_id=232
Housing: http://www.naihc.net/index.asp
http://www.okhighered.org/student-ce...html/nsu.shtml

http://www.phx.devry.edu/financial_i...holarships.asp

http://www.adaeveningnews.com/local/...169091236.html

http://www.choctawnation.com/

[Medicine Eagle]

As I posted my "blood" before I won't go through it again. I certainly feel very proud of my native blood. I am really curious about the medical problems brought up since they fit almost everyone of my family members. Aside from me and my daughter the rest of our family could care less what our heritage is. I long for more information and contact with my Cherokee heritage. I am not intrested in receiving anything except information. Also there must have been alot of mixing between some tribes and the Irish. Lol B/c I also have Irish blood and have blue/grey/green eyes. Hopefully I can learn about the culture here before I go to Arizona.

[DebiC_RN]

I agree with the government and such should not. I was not allowed to learn the ways. My mother did not believe in it, my father wanted to be with her. I am part Algonquin (both american and canadian) as well as blackfoot or mohawk. I am doing research to learn more about my ancestors. I have had the privilege of being part of indian wedding ceremonies. My indian name (not that i remember what it is in my native tongue) is smiling dove. It was given to me when I was young and I love the fact I have a name. My goal in nursing is to help someday advocate for the people of all nations.

[Thunderwolf]

Excellent feedback, folks, on this thread. Most excellent.

Exploring and coming to terms with "our own" cultural heritage is a very important process for us as healers...for it may allow and extend an atmosphere of acceptance towards our own patients for whom we serve...many, who may find their own cultural issues as being very relevant to their own understanding of health and wellness.

[Thunderwolf]

Originally Posted by cholul

This is the best "part Indian" assessment I have ever seen and certainly something to keep in mind: http://www.nativetech.org/tate/indian.html

Pilamaya (Thank You), for this beautiful story....a wonderful reminder.

[Thunderwolf]

The question of quantum is a concern for many...for it does determine two very important things. One....a governmental/legalistic counting of numbers (How many Indians are out there anyway? sort of mentality). Second, governmental benefits....which many embrace and some shun as handouts. But truly, the essence of the question runs much deeper than this....which I think this thread alludes to. Who and what makes one an Indian? This question may soon one day become a very relevant question for our own Caucasion brothers and sisters as America becomes more and more of a melting pot of cultures...where the predominant Caucasion race slides more into the minority. It is happening as we speak. And if so, will it be necessary one day as a Caucasion to think in terms of blood quantum as well? In this sense, a Caucasion may come to understand some of the Indian angst that has been held for so long. Another way to envision this is that "the measuring and counting up of blood" quantum for any race in its simpliest form is but a quantifier...an indicator of existence or an indicator towards extinction. So, viewing quantum in this way bends upon the road of existentialism. But for many, full or partial blood, being Indian lends itself as being a very spirtual thing with deep roots nurtured by one's own culture. As nurses, understanding who we truly are, be it Indian or Caucasion or whatever, is a empowering step for ourselves. And in such, it becomes a sacred duty to ourselves and to the patients we serve by seeking out truths of culture, by clarifying misperceptions, by extinquishing prejudices as they occur, and by preventing "relapses of insensitivities" via education. Nurses can do this...and are doing this....each and every day.