Non-Natives Mistreating Native Culture/ and getting money for it

ladybeadworker · 06-21-2005, 05:59 PM

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Recently I Heard From a close relative that there is a man going around making pretend to be Native American, this man claims to be Lakota Sioux, which he can neither prove nor has any person from that tribe that knows of him or his family name. He is not only a phony, he is also stealing. he receives money to run a "Native American" business.
I would not care if this person were affliated with some tribe somewhere, but nobody has ever heard of this person.

Now to get to the biggest problem with this phony- he lies about Native American History as well. He claims that Native Americans are all the same as far as culture. He also, goes around saying that Native Americans all crossed the Bering Straight.

Is this rediculous or what?

WhoMe · 06-21-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybeadworker

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Recently I Heard From a close relative that there is a man going around making pretend to be Native American, this man claims to be Lakota Sioux, which he can neither prove nor has any person from that tribe that knows of him or his family name. . . .
Is this rediculous or what?

lady,

Yes, there are many people who cannot prove they are Indian making money off of Indian culture. This is common and almost to epidemic proportions.

Even worse there are people who are our own who make a name for themselves among nonIndians and thrive as chiefs, shamans, medicine people and healers.... for profit.

There is even a tribe of Europeans who claim to be of a Sun Bear Tribe (Named for a Lakota who put on sweats, sun dances and Euwipi ceremonies ..... for a price).

**SingingDeer** · 06-22-2005, 12:49 AM

unfortunately there are always folks out there for the almighty buck, regardless of cultural association, that we should always be wary....

the best thing anyone can do is to check out someone before "buying" into their ideas...

sounds like you've done your homework on this guy... let's just hope and pray that others will do the same.

**White Powwow Dancer** · 06-22-2005, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybeadworker

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Recently I Heard From a close relative that there is a man going around making pretend to be Native American, this man claims to be Lakota Sioux, which he can neither prove nor has any person from that tribe that knows of him or his family name. He is not only a phony, he is also stealing. he receives money to run a "Native American" business.
I would not care if this person were affliated with some tribe somewhere, but nobody has ever heard of this person.

Now to get to the biggest problem with this phony- he lies about Native American History as well. He claims that Native Americans are all the same as far as culture. He also, goes around saying that Native Americans all crossed the Bering Straight.

Is this rediculous or what?

Hi I will keep my eyes open for this person.

**Kiwehnzii** · 06-22-2005, 10:01 AM

Yes, there are many. Whitepowwowdancer is not one of them. He loves native culture but doesn't claim to be one. Hell, I think he's poorer than me.

kitchemanitou · 06-22-2005, 12:13 PM

dID USAY MUNY$$!!

Me! Me!! pick me I wanna be lakota

Cheyenne?

I'm a poor ,poor Injun.........been poor too long !

I wanna be a Senatur or sumthin"?

Sorry ,I get crazy when someone mentions money!!

vince_j · 06-22-2005, 12:35 PM

You mention natives and Casinos, then greedy wannabes start to trace their ancestry to great grandma Cherokee Princess.

Per diem, profit sharing, or annual dispersements sound very appetizing.

It the gold rush all over again.

**SingingDeer** · 06-22-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitchemanitou

dID USAY MUNY$$!!

Me! Me!! pick me I wanna be lakota

Cheyenne?

I'm a poor ,poor Injun.........been poor too long !

I wanna be a Senatur or sumthin"?

Sorry ,I get crazy when someone mentions money!!

I hear you kitche.... poor.... yup
I don't think I know what money looks like anymore

**Wojapi4Me** · 06-22-2005, 02:06 PM

Just curious, what family name is this guy using?

Did he get a loan based on the fact that he's Indian, or did he simply get a loan? Big difference.

**White Powwow Dancer** · 06-22-2005, 08:43 PM

ladybeadworker
How did you fine out about this person?

crazywolf · 06-23-2005, 12:30 AM

Boozhoo niji,

Yeah I bought into one of his books way back when I was just starting to dance, about 9 years ago. I was really wanting to learn about the medicine wheel and traditions and such. What seemed like a bonus was Sun Bear claimed to be part Ojibwe and Lakota.

Ok now on to the debunking. It took him a whole book to teach his version of the wheel. My mom gets the "Anishinaabeg Today" from White Earth, and it took them all of a half page article to do the same, well, not really the same, the White Earth version is the REAL version, for Ojibwe people that is.

Sunbear claims that the north direction is represented by the Bison, and calls it Waboose. The east is called Wabun and is represented by the eagle. The south is coyote and is called Shadownese (sp?) and the west is bear, called Mudjikawis.

I am not going to discuss the particulars of the Ojibwe medicine wheel, I am not certain if its proper, but I will say the directions do not have animal totems associated with them, they are more like the seasons, phases of life, colors, and states of mind.

Now for the debunking, Sun Bear claims to be Ojibwe, he may be or not, but Waboose is ojibwe for rabbit, bison, or buffalo is bizhiki. I do not know what the work Wabun means, I know its the name of a town on the White Earth rez, but I can tell you eagle is called migizi. Oh and just to not be confused, the golden eagle is called ginew. I cannot find coyote or shadownese, but I do know that Bear is called Mukwa. Mudjikawis, or more properly spelled, Maudjee-kawiss, is the first son of a spirit, Ae-pungishimook, and a woman, Winona, who brought the wampum belts to the Anishinaabe, fromthe bear clan. That is the only resemblence that i have seen in the whole thing.

These books are popular down here in Florida, and there is a good following of people to them. I went to one of these medicine wheel ceremonies... one time. It was run by a woman who seemed nice enough, someone who was respected by most of my friends down here. I could not really feel the "energy" being sent up to the Creator by all of the herbs and crystals placed about on the different stones represenging the `12 moons of the year. Needless to say it the the first and last ceremony I have been to.

Now I never said a hateful word about anyone down here, but a girlfriend I was dating, 5 years after the ceremony I attended, said that this woman approaced her, observed her being with me. She stated that I was trouble, and when asked, she said, Lets just say that Crazy Wolf and myself do not see quite eye to eye.

I wonder what I ever did to set her off? Oh well, I have made my peace, through the traditional ways, with elders, real ones, and if she still holds a grudge, well her loss. But she does draw in a good crowd to the Sun Bear teachings. Hmmm I guess we dont see eye to eye, lol

Derek

Mia Gahdus · 06-23-2005, 12:55 AM

At one of the Native American gallery's I saw an exhibit that had all these brochures from around the country that offered to teach ppl how to do Native American Religious ceremonies and stuff like that. Prices ranged from two thousand to two hundred and fifty. Some even had financial assistance for ppl who can't afford the class.

**tradish_wiyan** · 06-23-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybeadworker

undefined
Recently I Heard From a close relative that there is a man going around making pretend to be Native American, this man claims to be Lakota Sioux, which he can neither prove nor has any person from that tribe that knows of him or his family name. He is not only a phony, he is also stealing. he receives money to run a "Native American" business.
I would not care if this person were affliated with some tribe somewhere, but nobody has ever heard of this person.

Now to get to the biggest problem with this phony- he lies about Native American History as well. He claims that Native Americans are all the same as far as culture. He also, goes around saying that Native Americans all crossed the Bering Straight.

Is this rediculous or what?

Where is this person?
Does he have a tribal enrollment card?
Did he recieve a "grant" or a "loan" to run a "native american" business?
There is a big difference between getting a loan and a grant. Not that I'm taking up for this person, but we need to get all the facts here.

06-21-2005, 05:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
ladybeadworker Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 50	Non-Natives Mistreating Native Culture/ and getting money for it undefined Recently I Heard From a close relative that there is a man going around making pretend to be Native American, this man claims to be Lakota Sioux, which he can neither prove nor has any person from that tribe that knows of him or his family name. He is not only a phony, he is also stealing. he receives money to run a "Native American" business. I would not care if this person were affliated with some tribe somewhere, but nobody has ever heard of this person. Now to get to the biggest problem with this phony- he lies about Native American History as well. He claims that Native Americans are all the same as far as culture. He also, goes around saying that Native Americans all crossed the Bering Straight. Is this rediculous or what? Last edited by ladybeadworker; 06-21-2005 at 06:04 PM.

06-22-2005, 12:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
SingingDeer ~~~ Jedi Color Guard ~~~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 13,603	unfortunately there are always folks out there for the almighty buck, regardless of cultural association, that we should always be wary.... the best thing anyone can do is to check out someone before "buying" into their ideas... sounds like you've done your homework on this guy... let's just hope and pray that others will do the same. __________________ "Liberty is the one thing you can't have unless you give it to others." ~ Wm A White "We could learn a lot from a box of crayons: some sharp, some pretty, some dull, some have weird names, & all different colors, but they have to learn to live in the same box." ~ Anon

06-22-2005, 12:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
kitchemanitou Senior Dancer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saskatchewan{swift flowing} Posts: 987	Confusion$$ dID USAY MUNY$$!! Me! Me!! pick me I wanna be lakota Cheyenne? I'm a poor ,poor Injun.........been poor too long ! I wanna be a Senatur or sumthin"? Sorry ,I get crazy when someone mentions money!! __________________ http://www.shannonthunderbird.com/IndGive1.gif

06-22-2005, 12:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
vince_j To'di'cheeni / Taa'ba'haa Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 97	money for nothing You mention natives and Casinos, then greedy wannabes start to trace their ancestry to great grandma Cherokee Princess. Per diem, profit sharing, or annual dispersements sound very appetizing. It the gold rush all over again. __________________ "We who are clay blended by the Master Potter, come from the kiln of Creation in many hues. How can people say one skin is colored, when each has its own coloration? What should it matter that one bowl is dark and the other pale, if each is of good design and serves its purpose well." ~~~Polingaysi Qoyawayma, Hopi~~~

06-22-2005, 02:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wojapi4Me Kili! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tha Rez Posts: 1,515	Just curious, what family name is this guy using? Did he get a loan based on the fact that he's Indian, or did he simply get a loan? Big difference. __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

06-22-2005, 10:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kiwehnzii Oldfart Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,871	Yes, there are many. Whitepowwowdancer is not one of them. He loves native culture but doesn't claim to be one. Hell, I think he's poorer than me.

06-22-2005, 08:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
White Powwow Dancer Brakeman Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: ONIGAMIINSING (Little portage) Posts: 1,306	ladybeadworker How did you fine out about this person? __________________ Asema Is Sacred Traditional Use, Not Misuse Wakan Tanka please have compassion on me. OK Niji we are running a train with red over yellow at this powwow.

06-23-2005, 12:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
crazywolf crazywolf Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: unsettled for now, MN Posts: 867 Blog Entries: 5	Sun Bear innit? Boozhoo niji, Yeah I bought into one of his books way back when I was just starting to dance, about 9 years ago. I was really wanting to learn about the medicine wheel and traditions and such. What seemed like a bonus was Sun Bear claimed to be part Ojibwe and Lakota. Ok now on to the debunking. It took him a whole book to teach his version of the wheel. My mom gets the "Anishinaabeg Today" from White Earth, and it took them all of a half page article to do the same, well, not really the same, the White Earth version is the REAL version, for Ojibwe people that is. Sunbear claims that the north direction is represented by the Bison, and calls it Waboose. The east is called Wabun and is represented by the eagle. The south is coyote and is called Shadownese (sp?) and the west is bear, called Mudjikawis. I am not going to discuss the particulars of the Ojibwe medicine wheel, I am not certain if its proper, but I will say the directions do not have animal totems associated with them, they are more like the seasons, phases of life, colors, and states of mind. Now for the debunking, Sun Bear claims to be Ojibwe, he may be or not, but Waboose is ojibwe for rabbit, bison, or buffalo is bizhiki. I do not know what the work Wabun means, I know its the name of a town on the White Earth rez, but I can tell you eagle is called migizi. Oh and just to not be confused, the golden eagle is called ginew. I cannot find coyote or shadownese, but I do know that Bear is called Mukwa. Mudjikawis, or more properly spelled, Maudjee-kawiss, is the first son of a spirit, Ae-pungishimook, and a woman, Winona, who brought the wampum belts to the Anishinaabe, fromthe bear clan. That is the only resemblence that i have seen in the whole thing. These books are popular down here in Florida, and there is a good following of people to them. I went to one of these medicine wheel ceremonies... one time. It was run by a woman who seemed nice enough, someone who was respected by most of my friends down here. I could not really feel the "energy" being sent up to the Creator by all of the herbs and crystals placed about on the different stones represenging the `12 moons of the year. Needless to say it the the first and last ceremony I have been to. Now I never said a hateful word about anyone down here, but a girlfriend I was dating, 5 years after the ceremony I attended, said that this woman approaced her, observed her being with me. She stated that I was trouble, and when asked, she said, Lets just say that Crazy Wolf and myself do not see quite eye to eye. I wonder what I ever did to set her off? Oh well, I have made my peace, through the traditional ways, with elders, real ones, and if she still holds a grudge, well her loss. But she does draw in a good crowd to the Sun Bear teachings. Hmmm I guess we dont see eye to eye, lol Derek

06-23-2005, 12:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Mia Gahdus Mrs. Happily Married Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 80	At one of the Native American gallery's I saw an exhibit that had all these brochures from around the country that offered to teach ppl how to do Native American Religious ceremonies and stuff like that. Prices ranged from two thousand to two hundred and fifty. Some even had financial assistance for ppl who can't afford the class.