BOX ELDER, Mont.--Is it really necessary for Native Americans to be judged by how much "Indian blood" we have in our bodies, or to be told whether we can be called Native Americans because of our blood quantum?
I don't think it's right that the government, or even our own people, can tell us who we are. It's insulting that some Native Americans are not recognized by their own people because of blood and that it can determine our tribal-enrollment status.
What does blood quantum prove, anyway? How much you know about Indians? Where you grew up? Is it how many powwows you attend, or how much beadwork you do? No, it's simply the percentage of blood in your body considered "Indian."
You can be one-fourth Indian and still know more about Native American heritage than somebody three-fourths or more. I know plenty of people who grew up off of reservations but still know the jingle, fancy, grass or traditional dances.
How 'Indian' You Are
Yes, your blood quantum shows that there you have Native ancestry, but it doesn't prove how "Indian" you are.
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.
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.
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.
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.:cheers:
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.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
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.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
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.
Specializes in NP Business Coach, Mentor, Business Ed..
I spent 5 years working as an NP for a small tribe here on the coast. Only a small percentage of the population "looked" NA. There were always questions about tribal enrollment and what I learned is that it depends on where you are enrolling. Some folks were unable to enroll in their tribe because of blood quantum, where as in another tribe, someone with less blood than I have could enroll.
And me...I call myself tri-ethnic anyway. But as far as our NAI side...I only have a copy of an affidavit of birth from my paternal grandmother that list her mother as a "freed Negro" and her father as an "Indian". No one seems to know much more than that...and those that did have long since passed.
i am a card issued choctaw indian, however i am also a cherokee indian,had to denounce this part due to government rules can only recognize and claim one tribe in the great state of oklahoma. ( one on paternal one on maternal side) as well as my grandmother is from wales.i think you would see these are all great heritages to be from. no !!! i don't have a wales card but i am still welsh. but i think people just want someplace to have come from and belong. but i think if you think about it very hard( and you have read genesis) we are all from the same heritage in the beginning and thats where all of us belong, no matter what you think or believe your heritage to be,we are descendants from adam and eve.and adam(man) was created in the image of god and eve from adam and so on. so if you truly want to give accurate direction this is where in the end you should find yourself. god bless you i hope you find comfort in this for those who might think they belong or dont know where they hail from. and as for people like me i might be indian but god gave me that.amen ( sorry for the caps when first typed, new to this did not know they meant yelling)
cholul
12 Posts
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.
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