"Tribe" selling fake memberships

**Wojapi4Me** · 08-14-2007, 08:47 AM

Man, I can stand these fake tribal groups:

Indianz.Com > News > Arrests linked to tribe selling 'membership'

**ac_miss** · 08-14-2007, 09:57 AM

Whoa, what will they think of next?? It's too crazy. *shakes head in disbelief*

timmy tiger · 08-14-2007, 08:13 PM

This happens all the time. We have been approached several times just in the past year to "join" this "Tribe" or that "Tribe" for a $25 (or whatever that particular donation fee is). My relatives would flip. We always say "no thanks. We have our family."

Everyone involved with these "Tribes" are either a "Chief" or "Clan Mother" or a "Medicine Person". And many of them have actual "Tribal Cards" with their pictures on them. But they are not State or Federally Recognized, we have checked many of them out and found out what they are.

People are always coming up to us at Pow Wow's and saying "Oh my bloodline is (this), but I am a member of (that) tribe". We don't know how that can be? We get confused by that all the time, yet it is happening.

But then this has been happening for many many years. Believe it or not, there are many out there that are like that and so many don't even know it.

It's sad.

Skillet · 08-14-2007, 10:19 PM

FYI...theres another thread already going on this topic,with the full story..so far

http://www.powwows.com/gathering/nat...tion-scam.html

tsuj510 · 08-15-2007, 02:41 PM

LOL-that's why they say "buyer beware"!

outershell · 08-17-2007, 11:17 AM

i think the best thing is to expose them as frauds. Educate the general public as well as those likley to be targeted to what a real tribe is and how you just can't buy your way in.. and all that.

crazywolf · 08-17-2007, 01:32 PM

You know...

I was approached by a "chief" one day, asked to join his tribe. He said he liked the way I danced (fancy) and that I would be a great assett to the tribe. I said, Fine, what tribe is is?

I cannot remember the exact termanology, but it was something like the Southern St. John's Cherokee Confederacy or some such thing like that. Anyway, there are dues of $75 per month, but just for me he would wave off the first 3 months. So I asked what would be the benifits? He said, first you would be a member of a state recognized tribe and entitled to the benifits thereof, which, I found out later amounts out to be a hill of beans.

You get these groups of people, I feel like that some of them do have NDN blood in them, and either cannot prove it, or do not like the way things are run within their tribe and go off and start their own little war, or are told to go away by the tribe probably for a very good reason and then still go off and form their own little groups. Since the group has no actual legetimacy, they figure out that people are not going to beat a path to their door, so they have to do something to get members. Hmmm, go to pow wows and recruit? Not a bad idea. Get enough members and then start a pow wow, and recruit, and get money... oooo better idea yet, but first one thing at a time. Get people to join, and pay dues, and help out on the "grounds" for free.

That sound about right? Of course its not against the law to have pow wows, or even make money at pow wows. I am not even sure if its against the law to charge for membership in some kind of not-for-profit organization, either that or ask for "donations" I guess it all has to be worded very carefully. But at anyrate, to the chief, I said, you do not even know me, have never spoken to me and do not know what kind of person I am. Why would one stranger ask another to join him without even knowing the simplest of information, like my name? Thankyou, no.

Derek

Zeke · 08-17-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazywolf

Why would one stranger ask another to join him without even knowing the simplest of information, like my name?

"$$$."

But even the most rabidly hypocritical among us seem to stoop to such measures with regularity.

In fact, I am aware of one such (word used loosely) "organization" soliciting funds for a powwow -- with "complimentary organization membership" for donating -- wherein their cover letter states that non-profit status is "pending."

Caveat Emptor, in all cases.

An awarded 501(c)3 at least validates financial accountability, Board/Membership representation and by-definition transparency. A lack of such, inability to obtain, or requesting funds reporting that such status is "pending" truly smells. Declaring yourself high chieftan of a clan existing only in personal fantasy is delusional...

crazywolf · 08-17-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

"$$$."

But even the most rabidly hypocritical among us seem to stoop to such measures with regularity.

In fact, I am aware of one such (word used loosely) "organization" soliciting funds for a powwow -- with "complimentary organization membership" for donating -- wherein their cover letter states that non-profit status is "pending."

Caveat Emptor, in all cases.

An awarded 501(c)3 at least validates financial accountability, Board/Membership representation and by-definition transparency. A lack of such, inability to obtain, or requesting funds reporting that such status is "pending" truly smells. Declaring yourself high chieftan of a clan existing only in personal fantasy is delusional...

Man this guy makes a lotta sense.

Hey! Lets sell copies of descendant cards on Ebay! I bet we could get a ton of money that could go towards my fund of moving to Minnesota!

Skillet · 08-18-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

"$$$."

But even the most rabidly hypocritical among us seem to stoop to such measures with regularity.
Declaring yourself high chieftan of a clan existing only in personal fantasy is delusional...

such as starting indian "clubs"??? and i agree,your plans for starting a wannabee nation are truly delusional and fantasy....

kiowakat · 08-18-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

"$$$."

But even the most rabidly hypocritical among us seem to stoop to such measures with regularity.

In fact, I am aware of one such (word used loosely) "organization" soliciting funds for a powwow -- with "complimentary organization membership" for donating -- wherein their cover letter states that non-profit status is "pending."

Caveat Emptor, in all cases.

An awarded 501(c)3 at least validates financial accountability, Board/Membership representation and by-definition transparency. A lack of such, inability to obtain, or requesting funds reporting that such status is "pending" truly smells. Declaring yourself high chieftan of a clan existing only in personal fantasy is delusional...

ROTFLMAO pow-wow club whiner

kiowakat · 08-18-2007, 12:15 PM

how is it zeke that you can have your place in Kansas city and service Indians but when I try to start something totally different here in St. Louis, that your center in Kansas city obviously doesn't support (as I said in person to you, during our meeting, after your attitude, we don't want your attitude or help) but then your trying to get other people to stand up with you in St. Louis and now here to take over St. Louis, thanks for the power lol........but all the American Indians in our group...American Indian Educational Resources of St. Louis feel like I do, is this a crime because we won't jump on your Indian center band (chuck) wagon??, no thanks we ride horses............

08-14-2007, 08:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wojapi4Me Kili! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tha Rez Posts: 1,493	"Tribe" selling fake memberships Man, I can stand these fake tribal groups: Indianz.Com > News > Arrests linked to tribe selling 'membership' __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

08-14-2007, 09:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
ac_miss Raegan's Mom Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 2,791 Blog Entries: 3	Whoa, what will they think of next?? It's too crazy. shakes head in disbelief __________________ Bead All You Can Bead

08-14-2007, 08:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
timmy tiger Head Dancer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: where ever there are babies or children you can find me Posts: 13,277 Blog Entries: 3	"Tribe" selling fake memberships This happens all the time. We have been approached several times just in the past year to "join" this "Tribe" or that "Tribe" for a $25 (or whatever that particular donation fee is). My relatives would flip. We always say "no thanks. We have our family." Everyone involved with these "Tribes" are either a "Chief" or "Clan Mother" or a "Medicine Person". And many of them have actual "Tribal Cards" with their pictures on them. But they are not State or Federally Recognized, we have checked many of them out and found out what they are. People are always coming up to us at Pow Wow's and saying "Oh my bloodline is (this), but I am a member of (that) tribe". We don't know how that can be? We get confused by that all the time, yet it is happening. But then this has been happening for many many years. Believe it or not, there are many out there that are like that and so many don't even know it. It's sad.

08-14-2007, 10:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Skillet Teen Dancer Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 251	FYI...theres another thread already going on this topic,with the full story..so far http://www.powwows.com/gathering/nat...tion-scam.html __________________

08-17-2007, 11:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
outershell far from home Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: out in the sun Posts: 170 Blog Entries: 7	i think the best thing is to expose them as frauds. Educate the general public as well as those likley to be targeted to what a real tribe is and how you just can't buy your way in.. and all that. __________________ ^ this post brought to you by the miracle of caffeine

08-15-2007, 02:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
tsuj510 Teen Dancer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 409	LOL-that's why they say "buyer beware"!

08-17-2007, 01:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
crazywolf crazywolf Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: unsettled for now, MN Posts: 856 Blog Entries: 5	You know... I was approached by a "chief" one day, asked to join his tribe. He said he liked the way I danced (fancy) and that I would be a great assett to the tribe. I said, Fine, what tribe is is? I cannot remember the exact termanology, but it was something like the Southern St. John's Cherokee Confederacy or some such thing like that. Anyway, there are dues of $75 per month, but just for me he would wave off the first 3 months. So I asked what would be the benifits? He said, first you would be a member of a state recognized tribe and entitled to the benifits thereof, which, I found out later amounts out to be a hill of beans. You get these groups of people, I feel like that some of them do have NDN blood in them, and either cannot prove it, or do not like the way things are run within their tribe and go off and start their own little war, or are told to go away by the tribe probably for a very good reason and then still go off and form their own little groups. Since the group has no actual legetimacy, they figure out that people are not going to beat a path to their door, so they have to do something to get members. Hmmm, go to pow wows and recruit? Not a bad idea. Get enough members and then start a pow wow, and recruit, and get money... oooo better idea yet, but first one thing at a time. Get people to join, and pay dues, and help out on the "grounds" for free. That sound about right? Of course its not against the law to have pow wows, or even make money at pow wows. I am not even sure if its against the law to charge for membership in some kind of not-for-profit organization, either that or ask for "donations" I guess it all has to be worded very carefully. But at anyrate, to the chief, I said, you do not even know me, have never spoken to me and do not know what kind of person I am. Why would one stranger ask another to join him without even knowing the simplest of information, like my name? Thankyou, no. Derek

08-18-2007, 12:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
kiowakat Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St.Louis Posts: 1,243	how is it zeke that you can have your place in Kansas city and service Indians but when I try to start something totally different here in St. Louis, that your center in Kansas city obviously doesn't support (as I said in person to you, during our meeting, after your attitude, we don't want your attitude or help) but then your trying to get other people to stand up with you in St. Louis and now here to take over St. Louis, thanks for the power lol........but all the American Indians in our group...American Indian Educational Resources of St. Louis feel like I do, is this a crime because we won't jump on your Indian center band (chuck) wagon??, no thanks we ride horses............ Last edited by kiowakat; 08-18-2007 at 04:41 PM.