[CookieCritter]

That was not boring at all. It was very interesting. I had not heard of the treaty of Waitangi. I hope the best for Maoris but they will need to be very careful especially if they are going to get money or types of businesses that will create huge profits.

Certain things have backfired here that started off as a good thing. (like the casino money) For some tribes it has been a blessing, for others it has increased their health problems and escalated drug use to epidemic proportions. The money is useless without education on how to use money properly. (I"ll go off an rant here so I"m hushing up)

I think it's good that you have an interest in your fellow countrymen and want to understand. I though it was very brave of you to admit that many people in healthcare are overtly or passively racist. I don't think I would see too many admitting to that over here in the USA even if it is especially true in some areas of the country.

I don't think you were attacking the American government past or present so I hope people read your post in context.

You are not the first to point out that there is a similarity towards the carding of Native Americans to what happened in Nazi Germany. In fact many of the traditionals did not allow themselves to get carded even up to a few years ago and felt that the goverment was up to something truely evil. I have also heard and read literature that has suggested that Nazi Germany got many of their ideas from the American government and it's initial policies on certain ethnicities.

There has also been things written on the fact that American government was at one time full of Nazi sympathaziers to a degree and that this was the real reason why we entered WWII so late.

Oh well if I get flamed I get flamed. It's an interesting topic and it links into so many other cultures and the politics. I think many countries and their policies are more alike then we are sometimes willing to admit.

[Scififan]

Glad I didn't bore you, I think Maori here are now more realistic about payouts from the government, in the 1990's there were a few very public cases of where money was mishandled overspending etc, which unfortunately played straight in to the hands of those that are opposed to them receiving compensation.

I live by myself with no dependants except two dogs, and I've been thinking of who to leave things to, house etc. Now my siblings are doing alright for themselves and their families so I don't feel I need to leave it to them. A while ago I mentioned to my family that among other things I was considering leaving money to the SPCA and my house to the local iwi, just a thought which may well change but you would have thought I had committed a cardinal sin!!! Actually made me laugh because by them it would be ok to leave things to friends etc but definately not Maori. At this stage it is only a whim cos I would have to find out more about it, for example which local iwi and how to go about setting it up so it was not for one single person to gain from etc etc.

Thank you very much for your posts on the history of your people I find it absolutely fascinating, as you can imagine growing up here, what we knew about your people was from the "westerns" on TV! Of course we know how accurate they are!

Do the different tribes have different languages and if so are they similar enough for people from different tribes to understand?? The Maori have one language with slight differences in pronunciation etc but maori from one area to another can understand each other and maybe this makes it easier to be united with a common cause.

Thanks so much

[tinkerroll21]

I'm Tsalagi Western Band.

[okielpn_1]

I am a card issued Choctaw Indian, I am also a card issued Cherokee but the government says I cant claim both heritages even though I am both so I had to denounce my Cherokee to claim my Choctaw

[CookieCritter]

Originally Posted by okielpn_1

I am a card issued Choctaw Indian, I am also a card issued Cherokee but the government says I cant claim both heritages even though I am both so I had to denounce my Cherokee to claim my Choctaw

yup that's how the feds are. I know alot of people in that same situation. It's not right at all how they make everyone choose one single thing like one parent is not as important.

I know a family that has alot of kids and they split it down the middle all the boys are enrolled Mohawk like the dad and all the girls enrolled Cree like the mom.

[noonkya]

I am a Piankashaw. Although I do have a "card" and it says a percentage, my spirit tells me something else. One of my ancestors married another native of half percent from a tribe in New York (who had been displaced - to then the "indian territory" in Indiana.) So what the government data is, and what is, has little relevancy. I am currently a nursing student and many times I have prayed to my ancestors to give me the strength to achieve in this field. So far so good - as I have a 4.0 GPA. Although my Great-Grandmother was raised in an "indian-school", of which everything native to her was untaught; in her, the appreciation of: the love of life, family and our surrounding environment remained, and it is these she passed on. Much of our culture is lost, but the spirit remains and is what I embrace. My name for this forum means Nurse/Mother (our dialect) which is how I see myself...nurturer and mother. I also always say when asked I am Native American. I do not say a percentage because in my heart I feel 100 percent of the love of my ancestors. I cannot reduce that or them as a people.

Toni-we-keh-toh (Where are we going)

That is what I feel is more important, than where have we been.

What can you contribute to the legacy of your own heritage?

[mclennan]

Hi, new here. I'm an FBI (full blood indian) working for the IHS as an RN. I don't want to say what tribe or where I am, because the community is so small, but hey there....hi there......back to lurking.......

[tweagle22]

maternal grandfather was northren Ga. Cherokee. So wonderful to see the PRIDE on this page!