'Blood' Doesn't Make the Indian

Notmywil · May 3, 2008

I am so happy to see these words in print! There are so many of us who are disconnected (not of our own choosing) from our Native American roots. My great grandfather was full-blooded Cherokee. Can I prove this? Of course not. My great-grandfather's name was Sizemore. I wish so much that I could reconnect........I wish I could "meet" my relatives and learn of Native American ways.

I have a longing for the spiritual understanding of my ancestors. Even in the simple ways, I have the desire to have my feet on Mother Earth instead of the asphalt and concrete of my everyday life and to feel the wind on my face and connection with nature.

I wish I had known enough to understand a uniquely different spiritual "experience" I had when I was only 19. My mother was buried the day before my first child was born. For about 6 mos. after that, I felt a "presence" with me 24/7. "It" was in every room I entered in my home and was even in my car with me when I drove. I didn't understand it. I wasn't on any medication or drugs of any kind whatsoever. Because I didn't understand it, I was very upset and it was really stressing me mentally. I dared not go to a doctor, because he would've give me a diagnosis that would've haunted me for the rest of my life. That was over 30 years ago & I am happy to report that I am as "normal" as anyone else (what is "normal" anyway?) :)

As a nurse, I have been fascinated by the books by Lewis Mel-Madrona COYOTE HEALING, COYOTE MEDICINE, etc. I have always felt there was a part of "me" that was missing--that spiritual connection that my Native American ancestors so clearly embraced.

zenman · May 3, 2008

You might also like the books by Alberto Villoldo.

zodi51 · Nov 7, 2008

according to my cib i'm ½ navajo but i'm also a ¼ cherokee and ¼ irish. in reality, blood is the only thing that makes me native. i grew up "white", so to speak, in middle class suburbs. i was never really exposed to my navajo culture by my mother growing up except for the times we would visit my grandparents on the rez. it still pains me that i was never able to speak with my grandparents before that passed away because i wasn't taught the language. my mom (full-blooded navajo) left the reservation after being "assimilated" in a boarding school and never looked back. the same story goes for my paternal grandfather (full-blooded cherokee). however, i spent a great deal of time with him growing up. i also moved to a small town bordering the navajo reservation in high school. the school's population was 65% navajo and 35% white. i had the benefit of befriending many full-blooded friends, many of whom i'm still close with. i was surprised to find out that i wasn't the only one who felt disconnected to their heritage, for example many of my friends couldn't speak navajo either. what i find amusing is that my cousins on my father's side tend to be a lot more involved in our cherokee heritage even though some are blond haired and blue eyed. as for me the only remnants of my culture i retain is knowing how to make some killer frybread and the ability to say a handful of bad words in navajo.

Boricua67 · Nov 12, 2008

I'm a mixture of Taino, Mexica(aztec) and Comanche.

I think it's sad to see indigenous people considered "illegal immigrants" when they're migrating on their ancestral homeland before any colonial borders were formed. As indigenous people we still have it rough in the americas. Especially in latin america. I just read article a few weeks ago about the mexican government killing a bunch of mayan indians in the jungles of chiapas.

Sugargirl66 · Nov 14, 2008

Most of me is Irish. My original family goes back to the alqonguin tribes what is now Staten Island, NY. Regardless, I'm very proud of them. I hate it when people ask me if I'm half chinese.

EarthChild1130 · Nov 19, 2008

The Native part of me is descended from Cherokee and Choctaw tribes. I am doing family tree research as a great aunt told me that one of my family members was on the Cherokee roll...do I want any benefit? Nope...I just want to have a tangible TIE to that part of my ancestry. I want to know who THEY are and have a visible tie to the past, to my past.

I am trying to learn all that I can about my ancestors...ALL of them, Native and non-Native...but I'm really drawn to the Native and Irish ancestors, as they for me, for some reason, hold a special significance.

That being said, my looks are decidedly Irish...fair-skin, green eyes, freckles...but it doesn't matter, because I know who I am and from whom I come. I think everybody just wants to know those two things, really.

princesasabia · Nov 20, 2008

I'm a mixture of Taino, Mexica(aztec) and Comanche.
I think it's sad to see indigenous people considered "illegal immigrants" when they're migrating on their ancestral homeland before any colonial borders were formed. As indigenous people we still have it rough in the americas. Especially in latin america. I just read article a few weeks ago about the mexican government killing a bunch of mayan indians in the jungles of chiapas.

That is HORRIBLE! I had no clue that indigenous people still had it hard today. *** is wrong with people?? Its the year 2008!!!!!!!

steelmagnoliap9422 · Dec 6, 2008

I have no idea if I have any Native American Blood but I feel drawn to the simpler ways of life in a tribe. I have even started to move away from processsed foods and conventional medicine and more towards God's creation and its power of health and healing. ( Kinda weird being that I am a nurse) I don't know if that means anything, but I strive to understand Native American Culture because it is geared more towards a fullfilling, peaceful, healthy life not only for me but my children as well.

zenman · Dec 7, 2008

I have no idea if I have any Native American Blood but I feel drawn to the simpler ways of life in a tribe.

I think all of us feel this connection to earlier, simpler times, if we let ourselves. When I hold a monthly fire ceremony here in very crowded Dhaka, I remind people that our ancestors sat around a fire just like we are doing, and all the city noise just melts into the background. I feel the same connection when out in nature. It's also amazing what you can do without.

RN BSN 2009 · Dec 10, 2008

how to write the great american indian novel

all of the indians must have tragic features: tragic noses, eyes, and arms.

their hands and fingers must be tragic when they reach for tragic food.

the hero must be a half-breed, half white and half indian, preferably

from a horse culture. he should often weep alone. that is mandatory.

if the hero is an indian woman, she is beautiful. she must be slender

and in love with a white man. but if she loves an indian man

then he must be a half-breed, preferably from a horse culture.

if the indian woman loves a white man, then he has to be so white

that we can see the blue veins running through his skin like rivers.

when the indian woman steps out of her dress, the white man gasps

at the endless beauty of her brown skin. she should be compared to nature:

brown hills, mountains, fertile valleys, dewy grass, wind, and clear water.

if she is compared to murky water, however, then she must have a secret.

indians always have secrets, which are carefully and slowly revealed.

yet indian secrets can be disclosed suddenly, like a storm.

indian men, of course, are storms. the should destroy the lives

of any white women who choose to love them. all white women love

indian men. that is always the case. white women feign disgust

at the savage in blue jeans and t-shirt, but secretly lust after him.

white women dream about half-breed indian men from horse cultures.

indian men are horses, smelling wild and gamey. when the indian man

unbuttons his pants, the white woman should think of topsoil.

there must be one murder, one suicide, one attempted rape.

alcohol should be consumed. cars must be driven at high speeds.

indians must see visions. white people can have the same visions

if they are in love with indians. if a white person loves an indian

then the white person is indian by proximity. white people must carry

an indian deep inside themselves. those interior indians are half-breed

and obviously from horse cultures. if the interior indian is male

then he must be a warrior, especially if he is inside a white man.

if the interior indian is female, then she must be a healer, especially if she is inside

a white woman. sometimes there are complications.

an indian man can be hidden inside a white woman. an indian woman

can be hidden inside a white man. in these rare instances,

everybody is a half-breed struggling to learn more about his or her horse culture.

there must be redemption, of course, and sins must be forgiven.

for this, we need children. a white child and an indian child, gender

not important, should express deep affection in a childlike way.

in the great american indian novel, when it is finally written,

all of the white people will be indians and all of the indians will be ghosts.

sherman alexie

Atheos · Dec 10, 2008

I know plenty of people who grew up off of reservations but still know the jingle, fancy, grass or traditional dances.

Heh, even I know the fancy, grass and traditional dances. Don't know the jingle though. There is no NAI blood in me though. :)

Unfortunately, I don't think this will ever go away. It's present in all the races. I still sometimes get told, I'm not black or white.

jbluehorseh · Dec 31, 2008

i was just discussing this the other day...according to my father(who has passed) my maternal grandmother was "half" cherokee. i have pictures of her dressed in what appears to be some sort outfit that looks indian, and i have knives that she supposedly made. i had a little bead doll of hers that i was given as a child, but have lost. my point here is that although by my calculations i would be 1/8th cherokee, i take after my irish father with my blond hair and green/grey/blue eyes. i've heard of people trying to claim indian heritage for various aid, however i think money like that should go towards people still immersed in the native culture, trying to keep culture alive, rather than someone who's never been on a reservation. just my two cents worth!

i think you are right.

if there are people that do have native american heritage in them, then that should be honored and respected. being a non native i see these things in a different light. i hear that there a lot of people these days making clams that they are an native american because there is money to be gained. all native american should be able to protect their heritage.