ron red eagle

I know, this will probably be blasted by some folks, I'll be called names by others, and it may have already been covered (couldn’t find it).. BUT

What makes a person an Indian??

Personally, I think it matters more then just their blood quantum, I think it also matters how they act, how they talk, how they think, how they feel.

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Ezaasakwaadek-bkwezhigan ndaa miijin

~Though I wear a shirt and tie
I'm still part red man deep inside!~
<Paul Revere and the Raiders>

A very wise old Chief (Archie Mosay) once said to listen carefully when a White man tells you specifically that he won't do this or that, because more often than not he is telling you EXACTLY what he IS about to do.

Wakalapi

Uh .... being descended from an Indian ancestor?

*consider this my "blasting" it's the best I could do*
*well not my BEST ok but I'm kind of busy* :Chatter

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"Friends don't let friends drink decaf..."

ron red eagle

I roger that and agree completly, having Native descent is important, but is that the only thing that's important?

__________________
Ezaasakwaadek-bkwezhigan ndaa miijin

~Though I wear a shirt and tie
I'm still part red man deep inside!~
<Paul Revere and the Raiders>

A very wise old Chief (Archie Mosay) once said to listen carefully when a White man tells you specifically that he won't do this or that, because more often than not he is telling you EXACTLY what he IS about to do.

Tibiki Kinew

Being adopted as a youngster I feel that "pride and dignity" are needed to stand tall and openly show your pride when you walk the walk, blood alone may never show you your heritage, you can be a full blood but be ignorant as heck. Not being racist or judgemental helps too. Helping instead of laughing. Trusting instead of theiving. But this can go on and on with all the teachings of being civil. Guiding the young instead of getting drunk or drugged up. Don't get a fix from drugs, help a youngster see a better future. My 5 cents for today!

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Listen to my heart, not just my mouth! The most powerfull thing we can do is,,,share,,, if we don't it dies with us.

The Children are our Future, without them we leave nothing behind but our silence...

Listen to the wind,,, it has so many secrets.... especially never assume who I am, you may get a surprize you are not ready for! Remember being Heyoka doesn't mean I am crazy, just having fun!!!
Born in Winnipeg raised in the Pikwakanagan, Deutschland was never home!

Kiwehnzii

Being Indian is all those good things. Actually, being human is also.
But, to me first and foremost, one must have Indian blood to even be considered an Indian.

Adopted into a family is just that. No one can ever claim to be anything else except adoption into a family. That doesn't make anyone an Indian whether they learn the language, ceremonies or anything like that. They earn respect by doing these things, but, they are not Indian.

I don't buy any of that crap that people with 1/16 blood say they are more Indian than a 4/4 blood. They say this because they go to a couple of sweats or burn a bit of sweetgrass.

Some of my family are ardent church-goers. They are good people.They are just as much Indian as I am. We respect each other. We all stick up for our Native rights. They care about other people the same as you or I. They cry when I cry. They're happy when something good happens to someone. They are Indian just the same as the thousands of other Indians who choose to take another path.

We just worship differently.

keeb_k

Seems like it would be an easy question to answer but it is not , does it mean how much are you or how much (Indianess) if that is a word , do you have? Being Indian in my own mind is simple to me , I am not 4/4 but have lived being Indian everyday of my life thru the good and the bad, seeing my grandsons born, being spit in the face at our Fish Wars seeing the signs Spear and Indian Save a Walleye, the true hate of a whiteman towards towards our peope, but I guess just living it every day, not just when I choose like alot of people I know, is being Indian to me. That make any sense Niij? You know the good with the bad and you still are who you are.

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I Was Indian Before Being Indian Was Cool!! There's Plenty Of Room For All God's Creatures. Right Next To The Mashed Potatoes!!

Kiwehnzii

Good post.

Walking side by side in a demonstration, war, looking down the end of a gun with Indians of different lifestyle other than ours shows respect for each other. Those armed policeman eyeing us up couldn't differenciate(sp) who was Catholic, Protestant or traditional.

Singing Eagle

Yeah - what he said!:D

Tibiki Kinew

Are you shoveling the white stuff Singing Eagle????

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Listen to my heart, not just my mouth! The most powerfull thing we can do is,,,share,,, if we don't it dies with us.

The Children are our Future, without them we leave nothing behind but our silence...

Listen to the wind,,, it has so many secrets.... especially never assume who I am, you may get a surprize you are not ready for! Remember being Heyoka doesn't mean I am crazy, just having fun!!!
Born in Winnipeg raised in the Pikwakanagan, Deutschland was never home!

Shattuck

My thoughts are..... knowing where we come from, the history of our ancestors, our traditions, heritage and culture.
Understanding all Nations efforts to improve on their conditions for the people. To put forth the effort to learn, to hold our heads high, to walk a peaceful road and to set the examples for our young and the ancestors yet to come.
To educate people in the truth of what being of Native Blood truly is and not the Hollywood version. To learn to take care of one another, to help when and where needed.
Honor our Elders by hearing the words that are spoken and understanding what is being said. Knowing when to ask when we don't understand and to look upon one another as brothers and sisters in this circle of life.
Take care of each other and to live the way the Creator intended for us to live. Never forget the spirits that live in all things that the Creator brought forth upon this world! Remember what our fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers lived and died for.
Seek to improve. In short know where we come from and know where we are going. Being Human but yet smile with the knowledge of mysteries that our ancestors gave us to protect. Let no one take from us that which is to remain with the People. Honor the knowledge and protect it for those yet to come.
These are my thoughts as to what being Indian is!

comchocldy

I would say first BLOOD, then culture and perspective.... all the other good qualities mentioned .. are things that I would hope could be found in all ethnicities of the two-legged kind.

CC

storm

I can't say it any better than it has been said. But blood comes first. I am a little tired of meeting folks who are Indians at heart...
They may be spiritual people, or care for the earth or a million other good things, but loving rice doesn't make me a chinaman. I have said elswhere to treat visitors with respect, but know when you are a visitor.

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My bark is worse than my bite

comchocldy

"but loving rice doesn't make me a chinaman":D :D

I have never heard it so succintly put, bravo

CC

Nishnawbe10