In my heart over the years, I have grown more to accept the wisdom that it does seem foolish to say I am part this and part that. It is a mindset that we have become accustomed to though....to compartmentalize all our pieces and parts....ignoring the whole of who we are. In my previous way of thinking, I would have most likely introduced myself as that 1/4 Indian and 3/4 Caucasion man. Nowadays, I see myself as a man with Indian and Caucasion heritage OR simply a Caucasian and Indian man...a whole person....who in his heart and mind, tends to walk in both worlds.
So, in saying this, the roll call here acknowledges anyone with American Indian descent.
How do you look up native american ancestry. My mother has always said that there is native american blood on her mothers side, but no one in the family seems to know what tribe, how far back, or anything. I tried to do some searches. All I really know is a name- Thrasher, that was born in Upper tyrone PA. Any idea where I could start?
Hello NWPAnurse,
An incredibly easy way is to talk to your family, your aunts grandparents, your second cousins or their parents. You might be surprised to find out that some second cousin somewhere has been searching the extension of your family tree's roots for some time.
Also, if you do a search of the general rolls or indexes from the 1800s or any treaty signatures or census from PA at that time you may find some connection.
Gen-
HONOR the treaties, (no place else on this forum where this is really significant to sign :))
My father was 1/4 Cherokee and my mother's father was 1/2 Cherokee. My mother's uncle and wife lived on a reservation in North Carolina. I am proud to be Indian.
According to Mohawk tradition I am a Mohawk woman. Our lineage is through the woman..
Woman elders raised up the chiefs, we are a matrilineal society. So according to the historical way of deciding what I am I am a Mohawk Woman... my mother is a Mohawk woman. However according to the dominate culture I am 1/2, which half I am not sure.. oh well I do know who I am. So it is all in the eye of the beholder.. :typing
Just wanted to add that I am honored to be in the company of so much FIRST NATIONS talent.. you are all wonderful and blessed to have that strong blood in you... no matter how much it is. We are strong people!!!
According to Mohawk tradition I am a Mohawk woman. Our lineage is through the woman..
Woman elders raised up the chiefs, we are a matrilineal society. So according to the historical way of deciding what I am I am a Mohawk Woman... my mother is a Mohawk woman. However according to the dominate culture I am 1/2, which half I am not sure.. oh well I do know who I am. So it is all in the eye of the beholder.. :typing
Hello,
Nice to meet you. Once I heard that the Iroquois women elders who 'raised' the chiefs as you say, (the women who picked and guided the chiefs) are called the "Clan Mothers" they also mete out punishments for crimes which are enforced, from what I hear.
Gen-Anishinaabe, (and Cree, Dakota, Cherokee, Choctaw, as well as a Euro mix of French, Dutch, Canadian and some minscule stuff I am not sure of)
Great great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee. My mother has spent years trying to locate the Role number and finally located the paperwork! Also have blood lines to one of the Lost Tribes in Arkansas.
on my mother's side, i am cayuga first nation. my grandmother was a clanmother and my grandfather was a chief. my aunt is now a clanmother. on my father's side, i am ojibwa first nation. my grandfather was an ojibwa chief.
i was adopted by a japanese man and british woman. when i was a child, i was fluent in both native languages but i've forgotten everything. i don't know my culture and i'm trying to learn. i think i learned more about japanese culture than anything. every year, i go back to my reserve (well they come and get me) and i dig in the dirt to learn about plants, fasting, medicines etc. i stay for a couple of weeks and then they return me back to the city.
i just recently started checking out the nai threads.
on my mother's side, i am cayuga first nation. my grandmother was a clanmother and my grandfather was a chief. my aunt is now a clanmother. on my father's side, i am ojibwa first nation. my grandfather was an ojibwa chief.
i was adopted by a japanese man and british woman. when i was a child, i was fluent in both native languages but i've forgotten everything. i don't know my culture and i'm trying to learn. i think i learned more about japanese culture than anything. every year, i go back to my reserve (well they come and get me) and i dig in the dirt to learn about plants, fasting, medicines etc. i stay for a couple of weeks and then they return me back to the city.
i just recently started checking out the nai threads.
hello haudenasuanee and anishinaabe mix!
this board seems to be geared more towards folks who are from the "dominant culture".
i was married briefly to a man who claimed to be seneca, (of which he wasn't) and he did live on the alleghany indian reservation and i learned very little of the haudenausonee, (obviously not how to spell!) aren't the cayuga the clan that is feircely against out marrying? wow, if that is them then how very lucky that they recognize you and bring you home to learn. thanks to your aunty i would gather.
nice to read you and wishing you the best,
gen-for honoring the treaties, today
p.s. i am aware that canada has a much, much different view of aboriginal people than does the us, also there are several groups and associations in canada to deal with the entire generation of first nations people who were adopted off and away from their reservation, so hopefully you can find some help there, have you watched aptn aboriginal news online at all?
Gennaver, MSN
1,686 Posts
Hello NWPAnurse,
An incredibly easy way is to talk to your family, your aunts grandparents, your second cousins or their parents. You might be surprised to find out that some second cousin somewhere has been searching the extension of your family tree's roots for some time.
Also, if you do a search of the general rolls or indexes from the 1800s or any treaty signatures or census from PA at that time you may find some connection.
Gen-
HONOR the treaties, (no place else on this forum where this is really significant to sign :))