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.
i hope to get to know you better. i am planing to go to work at the tuba city hospital er soon. i have been researching as much of the navajo customs as possible. i don't want to do anything to offend any of my patients. that is the last thing i would want. i intend to work on reservations fot the rest of my career. the only way i know to help, is to give of myself. :redbeathe
hi i am 1/2 native american indian- miq'mac... with status card--- why isn't there more help for those of us in the usa? anyone know of how to get help from ur tribe-- my tribe comes from maine.
I'm so thrilled to meet each of you. I'm Native by adoption....my spiritual father is Cherokee and my grandfather is Osage. I've been a member of an intertribal family for a year now, learning the Traditional Red Road directly from the elders. My Indian name is Loves To Laugh, although when I'm hormonal, it's Laughs With Knives.
You gave me a much needed laugh. I now can speak to the problem on Reservation healthcare. I came to Tuba City with a full heart. and bonded with many of my patients. This hospital provides care for the Navajo (Dine') and the Hopi Tribes. The problem is the management. I was providing geat care and learnong a great deal, when my contract was broken based on lies! I have a strong feeling that if the Navajo and Hopi Tibes were aware what was going on, they would be upset! After having over 480 treaties broken by the American Gov. I would think that they would not look kindly upon having contracts broken based on lies, with nurses who truly care aout the NAvajo and Hopi Tribes and honestly wants to improve thier care.
1/4 Cherokee, mix of Eastern (dad's side) & Western (mom's side).
Some of my mom's family is from OK, my great-grandfather til the day he died swore he didn't have 'a drop of Indian blood' (his words, not mine). He grew up seeing storefront signs with 'No Dogs or Indians Allowed', so I'm not entirely surprised by his denial. But to look at him there's no denying it.
All of us - my grandparents, parents, and myself, have definite NAI features. And, after reading this thread and investigating, I discovered that I too have shovel teeth! :) And proudly!
1/4 Cherokee, mix of Eastern (dad's side) & Western (mom's side).
Some of my mom's family is from OK, my great-grandfather til the day he died swore he didn't have 'a drop of Indian blood' (his words, not mine). He grew up seeing storefront signs with 'No Dogs or Indians Allowed', so I'm not entirely surprised by his denial. But to look at him there's no denying it.
All of us - my grandparents, parents, and myself, have definite NAI features. And, after reading this thread and investigating, I discovered that I too have shovel teeth! :) And proudly!
I don't doubt he denied it to his last breath. It's a shame but it's also a very common story. Many, many people denied it and passed as either Caucasian or African American. Anything was safer then bening an Indian in some areas.
I think it's great that your family is reclaiming what he was not allowed to. As you said in some families it all comes out anyways in the features or maybe some ways your family had that were different then others.
okay,i am so tired of not being able to prove my nai blood b/c of shame stemming from racism in the past.why is there not a dna test to prove your nai blood??? we hve very specific things that are found only with native americans!!! for example the shovel teeth, and our very specific foot shape. not to mention the different pigmentation of our skin. i realize that not all of us who are not fbi (full blooded indian) have all of these traits, but there has to be a dna marker that identifies us! i want to make clear now that to those of you who don't know me, this is not about gov. help or money. i just want to be able to prove who i am! it is interesting that no one has explored these options as of yet, don't ya think??:smackingf
okay,i am so tired of not being able to prove my nai blood b/c of shame stemming from racism in the past.why is there not a dna test to prove your nai blood??? we hve very specific things that are found only with native americans!!! for example the shovel teeth, and our very specific foot shape. not to mention the different pigmentation of our skin. i realize that not all of us who are not fbi (full blooded indian) have all of these traits, but there has to be a dna marker that identifies us! i want to make clear now that to those of you who don't know me, this is not about gov. help or money. i just want to be able to prove who i am! it is interesting that no one has explored these options as of yet, don't ya think??:smackingf
i am 1/32 cherokee from my dad's side and 1/8 of an unknown tribe from my moms side. the reason i don't know what tribe i'm from is that during the late 1800s and early 1900s in washington, people were ashamed to admit that they had native american blood in the family tree.
i totally agree with the above post. i wish i knew what tribe the 1/8 came from.
I believe National Geographic offers a DNA test to see all the different things a person might be. I am not sure how much it is or what the specifics are in the test. I have heard though you can mail the buccal swabs back and in a few months you'll have a lot of info and maybe a million more questions.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida does DNA test all newborns and it doesn't matter if its the mom or dad who is Seminole. They want to know the break down. However it's more about money in this case since they get a very large dividend check now. Each tribe handles it differently.
I am 1/32 Cherokee from my dad's side and 1/8 of an unknown tribe from my moms side. The reason I don't know what tribe I'm from is that during the late 1800s and early 1900s in Washington, people were ashamed to admit that they had Native American blood in the family tree.
I totally agree with the above post. I wish I knew what tribe the 1/8 came from.
Wish I knew about my family too.
My grandmothers biological mother was called "Indian and Spanish" in rural Texas where she grew up. Her father died before she was born. He was listed a "Negro".
The first blood relative she ever saw was her son, my mothers brother.
He married my beloved aunt who is Cherokee and still lives in Oklahoma.We talk for hours. Her brothers and sisters are great talkers. Wonderful and friendly to us since we were little.Her mother, who lived 103 years was the most silent person I ever met. She rarely said more than a one word answer.
All us cousins spent a lot of time on the reservation where she had once lived. My name is Wa Lu Pi (not on my birth certificate but it's my name there)
Old ladies told us of the lore and history. The Trail of Tears was spoken of is such a way that we felt we were there. "We didn't know the plants. This land was not our home but we had to learn it."
It was "Five Tribes".
I do have a great affinity with the people whose ancestors were taken to Oklahoma and for the people who were native to California, where I live now.
Many descendents of the Tongva people, who lived where I do now, are attempting to learn as much as possible about their roots. They were forced to speak Spanish beginning with the early explorers and missions. I know siblings who had their DNA tested. They are closest to the Ainu of Japan.
Not genetically related to other tribes who lives just a few hundred miles away and presumably traded with the Tongva.
Medicine Eagle
91 Posts
ajo1,
i hope to get to know you better. i am planing to go to work at the tuba city hospital er soon. i have been researching as much of the navajo customs as possible. i don't want to do anything to offend any of my patients. that is the last thing i would want. i intend to work on reservations fot the rest of my career. the only way i know to help, is to give of myself. :redbeathe
walk in peace,
medicine eagle