What Defines an Indian?

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Central New York State may seem like an odd place for a war over the heart and soul of Indian country, but that is what is taking place on 32 acres known as the Oneida Indian Nation territory, where dozens of American Indian claim they’ve been wrongfully expelled from their ancestral tribes.

In states from New York to California, individuals are being involuntarily dis-enrolled from their ancestral American Indian tribes, as tribal authorities rule that certain groups of people are not entitled to tribal membership. This has resulted in bitter disputes over heritage and the definition of Native American.

“The Oneida people live in a state of fear that you can be disenfranchised at a whim,” says Vicky Schenandoah, 46, who lives on those 32 acres.

Schenandoah accuses the tribe’s leadership of robbing her family of its birthright. “I am still a part of the confederacy. I still live on my ancestral homeland.”

Recently, the issue has expanded to include African-Americans who claim membership in the Cherokee nation. Also at stake are hundreds of millions of dollars in casino gaming revenues. In a 2007 referendum vote, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma asked its voters to decide whether descendants of black slaves could maintain citizenship in the tribe. Voters said no.

In California, former members of the Pechanga band of Luiseno Indians are fighting a 2004 decision to expel 130 adult members from the tribe’s census rolls.

“It seems to be an epidemic,” says Laura Wass, head of the Fresno branch of the American Indian Movement, who wants the federal government to approve legislation establishing clear guidelines for tribal membership.

Advocate groups such as the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO) say there is a growing trend in which Indians and non-Indians are being stripped of their status and denied member services such as health benefits and income from gaming operations. Thousands nationwide have been kicked out of their tribes, including more than 2,000 in California alone, according to group leaders.

Entire article: http://www.usariseup.com/article.cfm?articleId=48&issueId=3&sectionId=2

[waterwomyn]

I find it sad that some Native Nations are making the decision to disenroll members. If they are true believers in a strong tribal heritage, they would realize that they are cutting off a part of their whole. This results in a decrease of strength. I'm afraid that by doing this, they are playing right into the hands of the dominant society. In fact, they are themselves assimilating into the beliefs of the dominant society by choosing to deny tribal members on the basis of fear and greed. There is strength in numbers. There is strength in shared belief. I ask them to remember their ancestors, remember how we as a people have managed to remain a "people", by opening our hearts, our spirits, and our arms to our brothers and sisters. We have been burned at times for these beliefs, but we are still here because of them as well.

[NativePapillon]

I guess it's all just a part of the human condition. Me first, you second. What's a trip is, Creeks and Cherokees denying tribal membership to those with African (slave) ancestry. Hmm.

[lpnstudent07]

I agree completely with you waterwomyn! The power of many is much greater than the power of a few. This issue has caused so much discord in tribes, and it is just a shame.

So many natives complain about the way the federal government "stole" land, and that the federal government didn't give enough as part of the treaty agreement, BUT, it is clear that money being the root of all evil, includes natives as well as non-natives.

The Oneida (just an example) can't independently manage 32 acres of land without allowing greed (the very thing white's have been accused of forever!) to consume their dealings with their own brothers and sisters, although they expect blessings?!

Then, displaced members of the tribe and others just like it, seek intervention from the same federal government that they would normally curse.

What a contradiction!

[CHATSDALE]

this has been an issue in Louisiana, mostly d/t the advent of casinos which has just been a rip-off

there has been intermarriage with blacks and whites and some of the tribal members dispute the O/O of blood that should entitle one to participate

glad i am not envolved

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

The Jews solved this situation by declaring any child born of a Jewish mother to be considered Jewish.

It sounds like a murky situation with no easy answer. There are tribal leaders who may be corrupt and greedy, and want casino revenues divided among fewer people. There are government benefits available, with the government wanting fewer people to give them to, and others want those benefits who may or may not have legitimate claims. You have people who have very little actual Indian heritage, living outside of the reservation, who want to use that heritage to gain undeserved benefits. Others, though, want to reconnect with their cultural heritage.

I knew a woman who appeared lily white. She was born in Georgia, became an avid practitioner of New Age style religion, then became infatuated with American Indian religion, started going to powwows, then built up an entire business selling books at powwows and online, all on Native American topics. She had a distant ancestor was from a Southern tribe, was maybe 1/32 Indian or less, but managed to gain membership in that tribe. Was she an Indian?

[sosiouxme]

The Cherokee Nation did not "involuntarily disenroll" African Americans. EVERY TRIBAL MEMBER was able to vote (I even received a ballot, and I'm in California now), and the tribe overwhelmingly passed a regulation that Cherokee tribal members are required to have Indian blood, as determined by ancestoral membership on the Dawes Rolls and subsequent possession of a CDIB card. Many African Americans, who posess such cards, remain tribal members. The Eastern Band of Cherokees goes even further by requiring that members have at least 1/4 blood quantum.

There literally are swarms of "fake tribes" popping up all over the country (in addition to people claiming to be American Indian) and so rigid requirements must be adhered to in order for "genuine tribes" to remain "genuine." It only makes sense that members of federally-recognized AI tribes be required to prove AI blood quantum. Members' spouses can't be "adopted" into federally-recognized tribes anymore, so why should anyone else?

As far as the Cherokee tribe gleaning "hundreds of millions" of dollars from their casinos, you might want to check out the tribe's Web site (I assume you don't receive the Cherokee Phoenix); each and every dollar is accounted for and translates into one thing: Lots of Services for Lots of People.

You can't talk of the federal government "stripping" rights of American Indian tribes on one hand, and then deny a tribe's right to make its own decisions about tribal governance on the other. The Cherokee tribe claims sovereignty, over the BIA, to establish its own membership criteria.

It all boils down to one thing, which is that you must have Indian blood to be a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe. None of my family members have ever been disenrolled, nor do I know of any bonafide tribal member (Cherokee or otherwise) that has.

[zenman]

I knew a woman who appeared lily white. She was born in Georgia, became an avid practitioner of New Age style religion, then became infatuated with American Indian religion, started going to powwows, then built up an entire business selling books at powwows and online, all on Native American topics. She had a distant ancestor was from a Southern tribe, was maybe 1/32 Indian or less, but managed to gain membership in that tribe. Was she an Indian?

I think I know who you're talking about. I'm more Indian than she is...maybe I should write a book :)

[musicgirl]

Interesting info. Thanks.

[karenG]

interesting information.

it occurs to me to wonder why people are keen to adopt a nationality like this? I'm scottish.. family trees goes back years.. I've always found it funny when american tourists don kilts and start claiming to be scots..

maybe people need a sense of belonging and claiming to be of american Indian or scots or english decent gives them a sense of belonging. sometimes we are not happy with who we are and need more.

I'll ponder alone on this one...

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

That's because those Americans may have quite a bit of Scottish ancestry, therefore they have a rightful claim to their heritage.

[karenG]

That's because those Americans may have quite a bit of Scottish ancestry, therefore they have a rightful claim to their heritage.

I can understand that.. but using that arguement.. should not people who have American Indian ancestry be allowed a rightful claim on their heritage?? Because it seems to me that they are not (or am I reading this wrong?)